There is a Well into Whose Bottomless Eye

Name: There is a Well into Whose Bottomless Eye
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of loss, memory, and the profound impact of a past relationship. The speaker reflects on a well that once provided life-giving water but is now dry, symbolizing the absence of a once-vibrant connection. The imagery of the well's "bottomless eye" suggests a deep emotional void and the fear of confronting painful memories. The speaker acknowledges a word and a face that evoke intense suffering, indicating a struggle with the weight of nostalgia and the desire to avoid revisiting that pain. The poem captures the tension between the longing for what was and the necessity of moving forward, emphasizing the complexity of human emotions tied to love and loss. The speaker's resolve not to engage with these memories highlights a protective instinct against emotional turmoil, illustrating the difficulty of reconciling with the past while seeking to preserve one's well-being.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1939 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Romantic Poetry · 144 words

First lines

There is a well into whose bottomless eye, Though I were flayed, I dare not lean and look, Sweet once with mountain water, now gone dry, Miraculously abandoned by the brook

Wherewith for years miraculously fed

It kept a constant level cold and bright, Though summer parched the rivers in their bed;

Withdrawn these waters, vanished overnight.

What this Textopian page supports

There is a Well into Whose Bottomless Eye is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1939 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1939 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Symbolism, Existentialism
Length: 144 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist Poetry — The poem reflects modernist themes of existential contemplation and emotional depth.
Romantic Poetry — The exploration of deep feelings and nature aligns with romantic poetry traditions.
Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the well and the eye, conveys complex ideas and emotions.