Time, that is Pleased

Name: Time, that is Pleased
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the complex relationship between time and love, presenting time as an adversary rather than a friend. The speaker reflects on how time can prolong the suffering of lovers who are separated or denied their union, while simultaneously hastening the moments of joy for those who are together. This duality positions time as a foe, particularly in the context of personal loss and grief. The speaker recounts a personal history where time has robbed them of beauty and happiness, specifically referencing the impact of time on their parents. The loss of their mother's beauty and the sorrow that afflicted their father are attributed to time's relentless passage. This establishes a deep-seated animosity towards time, which is personified as a thief that disrupts familial harmony and personal joy. Despite time's attempts to diminish the speaker's love through aging and loss, the speaker asserts a defiance against its power. They declare that no matter what time does, their love remains untarnished and cherished. The speaker's resolve to hold onto their beloved, regardless of time's influence, emphasizes the enduring nature of true love. The poem concludes with a strong condemnation of time, reinforcing the idea that love transcends its limitations.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1936 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 147 words

First lines

Time, that is pleased to lengthen out the day

For grieving lovers parted or denied, And pleased to hurry the sweet hours away

From such as lie enchanted side by side, Is not my kinsman; nay, my feudal foe

Is he that in my childhood was the thief

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Time, that is Pleased is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1936 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1936 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Modernism, Narrative Poetry
Length: 147 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of love, loss, and the passage of time align with Romantic ideals.
Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and grief, common elements in elegiac poetry.
Modernism — The exploration of time and personal experience reflects modernist themes.