To a Friend Estranged from Me

Name: To a Friend Estranged from Me
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the deep sense of loss and betrayal experienced by the speaker due to the estrangement from a once-close friend. The imagery of the setting sun symbolizes the end of a cherished relationship, evoking feelings of sadness and disillusionment. The speaker mourns the loss of a friendship that was once vital and nourishing, comparing it to "bread" and "bright charity," which elevate human existence above mere survival. The speaker expresses incredulity at the transformation of their friend, who has succumbed to "vulgar Pride," now adorned with superficial status and power. This change is met with disdain, as the speaker recalls a time when wisdom and truth were valued in their relationship. The friend, now perceived as an "insupportable stranger," stands in stark contrast to the ideals they once shared. The speaker's emotional turmoil is palpable, as they grapple with the permanence of this loss. They reflect on their previous certainty that love and connection would endure, only to confront the painful reality of separation. The repetition of the sun's setting emphasizes the finality of the situation, reinforcing the theme of irrevocable change. Ultimately, the poem captures the essence of heartbreak and the complexities of human relationships, illustrating how pride and disconnection can lead to the dissolution of bonds that once seemed unbreakable. The farewell is bittersweet, tinged with regret and a recognition of the darkness that follows the loss of light in a once-bright friendship.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1923 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism · 261 words

First lines

Now goes under, and I watch it go under, the sun That will not rise again.

Today has seen the setting, in your eyes cold and senseless as the sea, Of friendship better than bread, and of bright charity That lifts a man a little above the beasts that run.

That this could be!

That I should live to see Most vulgar Pride, that stale obstreperous clown, So fitted out with purple robe and crown To stand among his betters! Face to face

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To a Friend Estranged from Me is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1923 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism, Elegy, Confessional Poetry
Length: 261 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of love, loss, and emotional depth align with Romantic ideals.
Modernism — The poem's introspective nature and exploration of disillusionment reflect modernist themes.
Elegy — The work mourns the loss of friendship, fitting the elegiac tradition.