I Think I should have Loved you Presently

Name: I Think I should have Loved you Presently
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of love, regret, and the complexities of emotional connection. The speaker reflects on a potential relationship that never fully materialized, expressing a sense of longing for what could have been. The speaker imagines a scenario where they would have openly expressed their love, shedding pretense and vulnerability. The imagery conveys a deep yearning for intimacy, as the speaker envisions a candid exchange of feelings, where they would have revealed their true self without fear or shame. The use of "honest eyes" and physical gestures like catching a hand signifies a desire for genuine connection. The speaker acknowledges past follies that may have attracted the other person but suggests that these superficial traits would have been set aside for a deeper bond. The tone shifts to one of melancholy as the speaker recognizes that the other person has moved on, leaving them to navigate the memories of what might have been. The final lines encapsulate the essence of lost opportunity, portraying the speaker as a lingering presence in the other’s memory, a "ghost" of a potential lover. The poem ultimately captures the bittersweet nature of unfulfilled love and the haunting impact of choices not taken.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry · 158 words

First lines

I think I should have loved you presently, And given in earnest words I flung in jest; And lifted honest eyes for you to see, And caught your hand against my cheek and breast;

And all my pretty follies flung aside

That won you to me, and beneath your gaze, Naked of reticence and shorn of pride, Spread like a chart my little wicked ways. I, that had been to you, had you remained, But one more waking from a recurrent dream, Cherish no less the certain stakes I gained, And walk your memory's halls, austere, supreme, A ghost in marble of a girl you knew

Who would have loved you in a day or two.

What this Textopian page supports

I Think I should have Loved you Presently is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1920 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Modernism, Confessional Poetry
Length: 158 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of love and regret.
Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic themes, focusing on emotional expression and the complexities of love.
Lyric Poetry — The poem is personal and emotional, characteristic of lyric poetry, expressing the speaker's inner thoughts and feelings.
Modernism — The poem's introspective nature and exploration of personal experience align with modernist themes.