The Road to Avrillé
The poem reflects on a past romantic experience set in the idyllic landscape of Avrillé during spring. The speaker recalls a moment shared with a loved one, highlighting the beauty of nature and the innocence of young love. The imagery of the lark and cuckoo symbolizes joy and longing, while the presence of local peasants adds a communal, celebratory atmosphere to their connection. As the poem progresses, it contrasts the blissful memories with the inevitability of separation. The lovers, once united in their affection, are now depicted as distant, suggesting that time and circumstances have altered their relationship. The mention of autumn rain signifies change and the passage of time, emphasizing that their bond, though once vibrant, has faded with the seasons. Ultimately, the work captures the bittersweet essence of love, nostalgia, and the transient nature of human connections, illustrating how moments of joy can be overshadowed by the reality of parting. The speaker reflects on the emotional weight of their experience, acknowledging that despite the pain of separation, the memories remain cherished.
By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1940 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 165 words
First lines
April again in Avrillé, And the brown lark in air.
And you and I a world apart, That walked together there.
The cuckoo spoke from out the wood, The lark from out the sky.
Embraced upon the highway stood Love-sick you and I.
What this Textopian page supports
The Road to Avrillé 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: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry, Modernism, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Road to Avrillé by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its emotional expression and personal reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and personal experience align with the Romantic movement.
- Nature Poetry — The poem vividly describes natural elements and settings, emphasizing the connection between nature and human emotion.
- Modernism — The poem's structure and themes reflect modernist tendencies, including a focus on individual experience and emotional complexity.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Feminist Literature · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Love Story · Romance · Tragedy · Loss · Grief
More by Edna St. Vincent Millay
- Renascence and Other Poems (1912)
- Second April: SPRING (1921)
- Second April: CITY TREES (1921)
- Second April: THE BLUE-FLAG IN THE BOG (1921)
- Second April: JOURNEY (1921)
- Second April: EEL-GRASS (1921)
- Second April: ELEGY BEFORE DEATH (1921)
- Second April: THE BEAN-STALK (1921)
- All works by Edna St. Vincent Millay