Memory of Cassis

Name: Memory of Cassis
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem evokes a nostalgic recollection of a past experience shared between two individuals in a picturesque Mediterranean setting. The imagery is rich and sensory, capturing the essence of a moment spent in nature, surrounded by the beauty of olive trees, figs, and the sea. The speaker recalls the atmosphere, marked by the presence of the sirocco wind and the lighthouse, which stands resilient against the waves. The setting is both intimate and expansive, blending personal memory with the grandeur of the landscape. The details of the sweet-alyssum, heather, and mushrooms create a vivid tapestry of the environment, emphasizing the connection between the characters and their surroundings. The mention of the "broad road leading outward" suggests a journey, both literal and metaphorical, into a world that feels distant and perhaps forgotten. As the poem progresses, the tone shifts from a serene recollection to a more contemplative reflection on the passage of time and the impermanence of such moments. The speaker grapples with the bittersweet nature of memory, recognizing that while the experience was beautiful, it is also fleeting. The interplay between the natural world and human emotion underscores the theme of nostalgia, as the speaker longs to recapture the essence of that shared experience. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the tension between memory and reality, illustrating how moments of joy can be tinged with a sense of loss. The vivid imagery and emotional depth invite readers to reflect on their own memories and the landscapes that shape them, creating a universal resonance that transcends the specific details of the scene.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1934 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Imagism, Romanticism · 151 words

First lines

Do you recall how we sat by the smokily-burning Twisted odourous trunk of the olive-tree, In the inn on the cliff, and skinned the ripe green figs, And heard the white sirocco driving in the sea?

The thunder and the smother there where like a ship's prow The light-house breasted the wave? how wanly through the wild spray

Under our peering eyes the eye of the light looked out, Disheveled, but without dismay?

Do you recall the sweet-alyssum over the ledges Crawling and the tall heather and the mushrooms under the pines, And the deep white dust of the broad road leading outward To a world forgotten, between the dusty almonds and the dusty vines?

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Memory of Cassis is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1934 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1934 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Imagism, Romanticism, Modernism, Nature Poetry
Length: 151 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its emotional expression and musical quality, typical of lyric poetry.
Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on sensory experiences align with the principles of Imagism.
Romanticism — Themes of nature, memory, and personal reflection are prevalent, reflecting Romantic ideals.
Modernism — The poem's exploration of memory and subjective experience aligns with Modernist themes.