Song by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Name: Song
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the transient nature of summer, personifying it as a beautiful entity that has vanished. The speaker expresses a sense of loss and longing as they navigate a garden that once thrived under summer's warmth. The imagery evokes a vivid contrast between the vibrancy of summer and the encroaching chill of autumn or winter, symbolized by frost. The repetition of "gone" emphasizes the finality of this departure, while the metaphor of a "jeweled fish" suggests something precious and elusive slipping away. The speaker's journey through the garden becomes a poignant exploration of memory and the inevitability of change, capturing the bittersweet essence of fleeting beauty and the melancholy that accompanies its absence. The poem encapsulates themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the cyclical nature of life, ultimately conveying a deep appreciation for the ephemeral moments that define human experience.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism · 149 words

First lines

Gone, gone again is Summer the lovely.

She that knew not where to hide,

Is gone again like a jeweled fish from the hand, Is lost on every side.

Mute, mute, I make my way to the garden, Thither where she last was seen;

What this Textopian page supports

Song 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, Romanticism, Symbolism, Modernism
Length: 149 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — The themes revolve around the changing seasons and nature, particularly the loss of summer.
Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic ideals, focusing on beauty, emotion, and the transient nature of life.
Symbolism — The use of imagery and symbols, such as summer and the fish, conveys deeper meanings.