Not that it Matters

Name: Not that it Matters
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of love, mortality, and the transient nature of existence. It begins with a recognition of the futility of individual emotions in the face of inevitable doom, suggesting that personal feelings cannot alter the larger forces at play. The speaker reflects on the shared experience of love, likening it to thieves who steal beauty from a decaying world, emphasizing the fragility and preciousness of their bond amidst chaos. The speaker asserts their commitment to this love as a testament, acknowledging that while they are subject to the whims of fate and death, there exists a momentary reprieve where love triumphs over despair. The imagery of colors and clouds conveys the ephemeral quality of their emotions, suggesting that love, while powerful, is also vulnerable to the ravages of time and mortality. Ultimately, the poem juxtaposes the strength of love against the backdrop of death, illustrating how even in the face of loss, love can provide a fleeting sense of victory. The acknowledgment of death as a master highlights the inevitability of mortality, yet the speaker finds solace in the shared experience of love, which, despite its impermanence, offers a profound connection that defies the chaos surrounding them.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism · 141 words

First lines

Not that it matters, not that my heart's cry

Is potent to deflect our common doom, Or bind to truce in this ambiguous room

The planets of the atom as they ply;

But only to record that you and I, Like thieves that scratch the jewels from a tomb, Have gathered delicate love in hardy bloom

What this Textopian page supports

Not that it Matters is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1923 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism, Philosophical, Lyric
Length: 141 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is a sonnet, showcasing Millay's mastery of poetic form and language.
Romanticism — Themes of love and emotional depth are central, reflecting the Romantic tradition.
Modernism — The poem's exploration of existential themes and individual experience aligns with Modernist characteristics.
Philosophical — The poem contemplates mortality and the human condition, engaging with philosophical ideas.