There at Dusk I Found You

Name: There at Dusk I Found You
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the lingering pain of a broken relationship. The speaker encounters a loved one in a melancholic setting, where the atmosphere is heavy with sorrow. The imagery of dusk and a garden evokes a sense of beauty intertwined with sadness. The loved one expresses despair, declaring that love is dead, which prompts the speaker to reflect on their shared past and the emotional wounds that remain. As the speaker observes the loved one, they notice a dark stone ring, symbolizing a commitment or a bond that has been severed. The imagery of a rose, once vibrant, now splintered and forgotten, represents the fragility of love and the inevitability of decay. The speaker feels a deep anguish as they confront the reality of their situation, recognizing that the pain of loss is more profound than death itself. The poem introduces a metaphorical figure, a wounded creature that embodies the emotional turmoil between the two individuals. This figure, with a broken wing, symbolizes the damage inflicted by their separation. The speaker grapples with the memory of who caused the hurt, indicating a shared responsibility for the relationship's demise. The speaker's plea for acknowledgment and action highlights the desire to mend what has been broken. They challenge the loved one to recognize the suffering that persists and to consider the possibility of healing. The imagery of flight and the sunset cloud suggests a longing for freedom from pain, yet the burden of memory remains heavy. Ultimately, the poem captures the complexity of love, the struggle to reconcile with loss, and the yearning for redemption in the face of heartache. The emotional weight of the narrative resonates with the universal experience of love's fragility and the enduring impact of grief.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1940 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 342 words

First lines

There at dusk I found you, walking and weeping Upon the broken flags, Where at dusk the dumb white nicotine awakes and utters her fragrance In a garden sleeping.

Looking askance you said: Love is dead.

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There at Dusk I Found You is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1940 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1940 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Modernism, Symbolism
Length: 342 words
Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem characterized by its lyrical style, emotional depth, and use of imagery.
Romanticism — Themes of love, loss, and nature reflect the ideals of Romanticism, emphasizing emotion and individual experience.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
Modernism — The poem's exploration of complex emotions and fragmented experiences aligns with Modernist themes.