Tavern by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Name: Tavern
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem envisions a welcoming tavern situated below a hill, serving as a refuge for weary travelers. It emphasizes the comfort and warmth provided to those who seek rest, particularly highlighting the presence of "grey-eyed people," which suggests a sense of shared experience or understanding among patrons. The tavern is depicted as a place of abundance, with ample food and drink to alleviate the chill of the outside world. The speaker expresses a commitment to maintaining the tavern, even tending to the fire at midnight, symbolizing dedication and care for those who find solace there. This act of tending to the fire can also represent the nurturing of dreams and the continuation of stories shared within the tavern's walls. The poem reflects on the speaker's personal history, indicating that the wisdom and goodness they possess were imparted by someone with "two grey eyes," suggesting a deep emotional connection to this figure. This connection adds a layer of nostalgia and personal significance to the tavern, transforming it into a space not only for rest but also for reflection on past relationships and experiences. Overall, the work captures themes of hospitality, community, and the interplay between memory and place, creating a vivid image of a sanctuary for those in need of respite.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1940 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism · 163 words

First lines

I'll keep a little tavern Below the high hill's crest,

Wherein all grey-eyed people May sit them down and rest.

There shall be plates a-plenty, And mugs to melt the chill

Of all the grey-eyed people

What this Textopian page supports

Tavern is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1940 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1940 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism, Lyric, Modernism
Length: 163 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and structure, focusing on themes of rest and reflection.
Romanticism — The poem expresses emotional depth and a connection to nature, characteristic of Romantic literature.
Imagism — The vivid imagery and concise language evoke strong visual and emotional responses, aligning with Imagist principles.
Lyric — The poem conveys personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.