Sweeter was Loss

Name: Sweeter was Loss
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the paradoxical nature of loss and suffering, suggesting that the experience of loss can be more profound and meaningful than material wealth or physical comfort. The speaker reflects on various forms of deprivation—famine, bloodshed, and destruction—arguing that these hardships foster a sense of community and connection among people. The imagery contrasts abundance with devastation, illustrating how the latter can evoke empathy and solidarity. The speaker recalls a time when adversity brought neighbors together, creating bonds that wealth could not forge. The emotional landscape shifts from despair to a bittersweet recognition of the beauty found in shared suffering. Ultimately, the poem conveys that loss, while painful, can lead to deeper human connections and a more profound understanding of life. The speaker's journey through grief reveals a complex relationship with suffering, suggesting that it can illuminate the value of companionship and compassion in the face of hardship.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Modernist Literature · 142 words

First lines

Sweeter was loss than silver coins to spend, Sweeter was famine than the belly filled; Better than blood in the vein was the blood spilled;

Better than corn and healthy flocks to tend

And a tight roof and acres without end

Was the barn burned and the mild creatures killed, And the back aging fast, and all to build:

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Sweeter was Loss is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1920 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Modernist Literature, Romanticism, Narrative Poetry
Length: 142 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 deep emotional themes through lyrical language and structure.
Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist Literature — The themes of loss and existential reflection align with modernist literary movements.
Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion and nature resonates with Romantic literary themes.