Those Hours

Name: Those Hours
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of memory. It begins with a sense of ownership over joyful moments, suggesting that happiness was once a rightful inheritance. The speaker recalls a time of abundance and beauty, symbolized by fertile land and vibrant gardens, which evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing. However, this recollection is tinged with sorrow, as the imagery of an iron gate signifies separation from those cherished experiences. The speaker acknowledges that while they fully engaged with these moments, they are now aware of their transience. The juxtaposition of vivid memories against the starkness of the present creates a poignant contrast, emphasizing the inevitability of loss. The sensory details—sight, smell, and touch—highlight the depth of the speaker's connection to the past, even as they recognize the barriers that prevent them from reliving those times. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the tension between the joy of remembrance and the pain of separation, illustrating the complex relationship between past happiness and present reality.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1931 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Nature Poetry · 149 words

First lines

Those hours when happy hours were my estate,-

Entailed, as proper, for the next in line, Yet mine the harvest, and the title mine- Those acres, fertile, and the furrow straight, From which the lark would rise-all of my late

Enchantments, still, in brilliant colours, shine, But striped with black, the tulip, lawn and vine, Like gardens looked at through an iron gate. Yet not as one who never sojourned there

I view the lovely segments of a past

What this Textopian page supports

Those Hours is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1931 CE.

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

Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1931 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Reflective Poetry
Length: 149 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist Poetry — The work employs modernist themes of memory and perception, typical of the modernist movement.
Nature Poetry — Nature imagery is prevalent, reflecting on the beauty and transience of the natural world.
Romantic Poetry — The poem conveys deep emotional responses to nature and personal experience, aligning with romantic ideals.