Song of a Second April

Name: Song of a Second April
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The work explores themes of nostalgia, loss, and the cyclical nature of life through the lens of spring. The speaker reflects on the arrival of April, drawing parallels between the current season and the previous year. The imagery evokes a sense of renewal, with nature awakening—flowers blooming, birds returning, and the sounds of labor and play filling the air. However, this vibrancy is juxtaposed with a profound sense of absence. The speaker mourns a lost loved one, emphasizing that despite the beauty and activity surrounding them, the absence of this person casts a shadow over the joy of spring. The emotional weight of loss permeates the celebration of life, highlighting the tension between the external world’s renewal and the internal experience of grief. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the bittersweet nature of memory, where the past intertwines with the present. The natural world continues its cycle, indifferent to personal sorrow, yet it serves as a reminder of what has been lost. The speaker's reflections reveal a deep connection to the departed, suggesting that love and memory persist even in the face of absence. The work ultimately captures the complexity of human emotions, where joy and sorrow coexist, and the beauty of nature serves as both a comfort and a reminder of loss. The cyclical nature of seasons becomes a metaphor for the cycles of life and death, underscoring the inevitability of change and the enduring impact of love.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romantic Poetry · 195 words

First lines

April this year, not otherwise Than April of a year ago,

Is full of whispers, full of sighs, Of dazzling mud and dingy snow;

Hepaticas that pleased you so

Are here again, and butterflies.

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Song of a Second April is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1921 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1921 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Confessional Poetry
Length: 195 words
Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal expression and emotional depth, typical of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — The poem vividly describes natural elements and seasonal changes, emphasizing the beauty and transience of nature.
Romantic Poetry — Themes of love, loss, and nostalgia align with the Romantic tradition, focusing on individual experience and emotion.
Modernist Poetry — The poem reflects modernist themes through its exploration of personal and existential concerns in a contemporary context.