Since of no Creature Living the Last Breath

Name: Since of no Creature Living the Last Breath
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of mortality, love, and the enduring nature of the soul. It reflects on the inevitability of death and the pain associated with parting from a loved one. The speaker contemplates the finality of death, suggesting that the act of leaving is akin to dying itself. There is a sense of resignation to the passage of time, which brings both dawn and the harsh reality of separation. The speaker expresses a belief that they may not experience death again, hinting at a desire for permanence in their emotional state. The imagery of being a ghost signifies a lingering attachment to the past and the memories of love. The speaker anticipates haunting the places that once brought joy, indicating that love transcends physical existence. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the tension between the desire to remain connected to the beloved and the acceptance of inevitable loss. The act of rising and wringing hands symbolizes a struggle with grief and the inability to fully let go. The poem concludes with a poignant acknowledgment of the ongoing presence of love, even in the face of separation and death. The overall tone is one of melancholy, reflecting the complexities of love and the human experience of loss.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism · 154 words

First lines

Since of no creature living the last breath

Is twice required, or twice the ultimate pain, Seeing how to quit your arms is very death, 'Tis likely that I shall not die again; And likely 'tis that Time whose gross decree

Sends now the dawn to clamour at our door, Thus having done his evil worst to me, Will thrust me by, will harry me no more.

When you are corn and roses and at rest

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Since of no Creature Living the Last Breath is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1921 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1921 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism, Lyric, Modernism
Length: 154 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of death, love, and loss through lyrical language and structure.
Romanticism — The poem reflects Romantic themes such as deep emotional expression and the connection between love and mortality.
Existentialism — The exploration of existence, death, and the human condition aligns with existential themes.
Lyric — The personal and emotional nature of the poem categorizes it as a lyric poem.