Here Lies by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Name: Here Lies
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the themes of mortality, loss, and the inevitability of death. It begins with the image of a man who has died, with only the sea to mourn him, emphasizing his isolation and the indifference of nature. The speaker contemplates the man's life, noting that he was vibrant and full of potential but was cut down before he could fully realize it. The imagery of a "rusted iron column" suggests a once-strong figure now diminished and eroded by time and circumstances. The poem questions the forces that led to the man's demise, pondering the power that could bring down such a formidable being. It contrasts the man's former strength with his current state, evoking a sense of tragedy in the abruptness of his end. The speaker reflects on the futility of trying to understand the reasons behind death, acknowledging the limitations of human comprehension in the face of such loss. The final lines convey a sense of resignation, as the speaker recognizes the futility of seeking answers. The poem encapsulates the tension between human ambition and the ultimate reality of mortality, leaving the reader to grapple with the profound implications of life and death.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1939 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric · 153 words

First lines

Here lies, and none to mourn him but the sea, That falls incessant on the empty shore, Most various Man, cut down to spring no more;

Before his prime, even in his infancy

Cut down, and all the clamour that was he, Silenced; and all the riveted pride he wore, A rusted iron column whose tall core

The rains have tunnelled like an aspen tree. Man, doughty Man, what power has brought you low, That heaven itself in arms could not persuade

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Here Lies is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1939 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1939 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric, Philosophical, Modernist
Length: 153 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of mortality and the human condition.
Elegy — The poem reflects on death and loss, characteristic of elegiac poetry.
Lyric — The personal and emotional expression aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
Philosophical — The poem contemplates existential themes and the nature of life and death.