Not with Libations

Name: Not with Libations
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of love, devotion, and the tension between human desires and divine expectations. It begins with a celebration of love, marked by joyous shouts and laughter rather than traditional offerings. The imagery of drenching altars and shaking down fruits symbolizes a vibrant, youthful approach to love, contrasting with the solemnity often associated with worship. The speaker and their companions adorn themselves with symbols of love, such as myrtle and a mother's zone, indicating a playful yet irreverent attitude towards the divine. They create a banquet in the god's modest abode, suggesting a desire to engage with love on their own terms, rather than adhering to established rituals. However, there is an underlying tension as the speaker acknowledges the silence of the god, hinting at the futility of their efforts. The fear of a love that may not reciprocate or acknowledge their devotion looms large. The imagery of breaking bodies and pouring blood signifies the intensity of their passion, yet it also underscores the potential for sacrifice and loss. Ultimately, the poem concludes with a sense of resignation. The grove, once vibrant with the promise of love, becomes a nameless pasture, suggesting that the idealized vision of love may be unattainable. The departure of the woman and man symbolizes a retreat from the divine, leaving behind a space that is now devoid of meaning or recognition. The work encapsulates the complexities of love, blending joy with a poignant awareness of its impermanence and the disconnect between human experience and divine acknowledgment.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1944 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 143 words

First lines

Not with libations, but with shouts and laughter

We drenched the altars of Love's sacred grove, Shaking to earth green fruits, impatient after

The launching of the coloured moths of Love.

Love's proper myrtle and his mother's zone

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Not with Libations is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1944 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1944 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Modernism, Nature Poetry
Length: 143 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of love and nature, along with emotional intensity, align with Romantic ideals.
Symbolism — Use of symbols like 'altars' and 'garlands' to convey deeper meanings related to love and sacrifice.
Modernism — The poem's exploration of love's complexities reflects modernist themes of disillusionment.