Wild Swans is a collection of poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay, published in 1923. The collection is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different theme. The first section, “The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver,” is a narrative poem about a poor woman who works hard to provide for her family. The second section, “The Land of the Lost,” is a series of poems about the loss of innocence and the search for meaning in life. The third section, “The King’s Daughter,” is a series of love poems about a woman’s longing for a lost love. Throughout the collection, Millay’s lyrical language and vivid imagery create a powerful and moving portrait of love, loss, and longing.
By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Feminism