Low-Tide by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Name: Low-Tide
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of nature, transience, and the interplay between life and death. It begins with a vivid description of wet rocks exposed by the receding tide, highlighting their beauty and the life they harbor. The imagery evokes a sense of danger and isolation, suggesting that while the sea can be alluring, it also holds peril. The narrative shifts to a child wandering through an empty giant's house, symbolizing innocence and curiosity. The house, filled with wonders, represents the vastness of experience and knowledge, yet it is not a safe or suitable environment for a child. This juxtaposition emphasizes the tension between exploration and the inherent risks of the world. As the poem progresses, it reflects on the cyclical nature of existence, where the tide's ebb and flow mirrors life's phases. The return of the tide signifies renewal, yet the mention of death suggests an underlying awareness of mortality. The child’s journey through the giant's house can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human experience—filled with discovery but also fraught with challenges. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the beauty and danger of the natural world, the innocence of childhood, and the inevitable passage of time, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of life and the transient moments that define it.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1943 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 147 words

First lines

These wet rocks where the tide has been, Barnacled white and weeded brown

And slimed beneath to a beautiful green, These wet rocks where the tide went down

Will show again when the tide is high

Faint and perilous, far from shore,

What this Textopian page supports

Low-Tide is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1943 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1943 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature, Symbolism, Romanticism
Length: 147 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem, characterized by its use of meter, rhyme, and vivid imagery.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, typical of lyric poetry.
Nature — The themes revolve around natural imagery and the sea, highlighting the relationship between humanity and nature.
Symbolism — The poem employs symbols, such as the tide and the sea, to convey deeper meanings about life and existence.