Now Let the Mouth of Wailing for a Time

Name: Now Let the Mouth of Wailing for a Time
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of grief, loss, and the contrasting expressions of mourning. It opens with a call for silence among those who mourn, suggesting that their sorrow is misplaced or less profound compared to the speaker's own experience of loss. The speaker reflects on the nature of grief, asserting that true grief is felt by those who have no hope of reunion with the deceased. The speaker addresses the mourners, questioning the authenticity of their sorrow, as they seem to find solace in their beliefs about an afterlife. The poem contrasts the superficial expressions of grief with a deeper, more personal anguish that cannot be assuaged by faith or hope. The imagery of the "marked door," "ribbon," and "fern" evokes a sense of ritual and the physical markers of death, while the mention of the "good man" and "pretty child" highlights the innocence and loss of life. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the idea of faith and the expectations placed upon mourners. The speaker's disdain for the outward displays of grief by the "true believers" underscores a tension between societal norms of mourning and the individual's authentic emotional experience. The poem ultimately suggests that the depth of sorrow is not measured by public displays but by the internal struggle of those left behind, emphasizing a profound sense of isolation in grief. The work concludes with a poignant reflection on the nature of love and loss, leaving the reader to contemplate the complexities of mourning and the varying ways individuals cope with the absence of loved ones. The speaker's voice serves as a reminder that grief is a deeply personal journey, often misunderstood by those who adhere to conventional expressions of sorrow.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1939 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Modernist Poetry · 144 words

First lines

Now let the mouth of wailing for a time

Be shut, ye happy mourners; and return

To the marked door, the ribbon and the fern, Without a tear. The good man in his prime, The pretty child, the Gone-from a fair clime

Above the ashes of the solemn urn

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Now Let the Mouth of Wailing for a Time is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1939 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1939 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Modernist Poetry, Religious Poetry, Narrative Poetry
Length: 144 words
Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on grief, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Elegy — The work mourns the loss of loved ones, fitting the themes of lamentation and remembrance found in elegies.
Modernist Poetry — The poem employs modernist themes of existential grief and the complexity of human emotions.
Religious Poetry — The references to faith and belief in the afterlife indicate a religious undertone.