This Dusky Faith

Name: This Dusky Faith
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of loss, acceptance, and the transcendence of faith in humanity. It begins with a contemplation of grief, suggesting that tears are unnecessary for something that is no longer alive. The speaker reflects on the futility of clinging to the past, advocating for a release from sorrow and an embrace of the present. The imagery of sleep and the moon evokes a sense of calm and inevitability, contrasting the warmth of life with the coldness of death. The moon symbolizes a guiding light in the darkness, representing hope and continuity despite the finality of death. As the poem progresses, it emphasizes a "dusky faith" in humanity that persists beyond mortality. This faith, stripped of its historical burdens, emerges as something pure and beautiful, akin to a celestial body. The final lines suggest that this faith, while acknowledging the reality of death, ultimately shines with a renewed clarity and strength, embodying resilience and the potential for rebirth. Overall, the work encapsulates a journey from despair to a profound understanding of existence, highlighting the interplay between life, death, and the enduring spirit of humanity.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1945 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Modernist · 183 words

First lines

Why, then, weep not, Since naught's to weep.

Too wild, too hot For a dead thing, Altered and cold, Are these long tears: Relinquishing To the sovereign force

Of the pulling past What you cannot hold

Is reason's course.

What this Textopian page supports

This Dusky Faith is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1945 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1945 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Modernist, Lyrical, Symbolism
Length: 183 words
Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of existence, death, and faith through lyrical language.
Philosophical — The poem delves into existential themes and the nature of being, reflecting on the human condition.
Modernist — The style and themes reflect modernist characteristics, including a focus on individual perception and abstract concepts.
Lyrical — The poem employs a personal and emotional tone, typical of lyrical poetry.