What Thing is this That

Name: What Thing is this That
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the tension between the physical and the ethereal, questioning the nature of existence and the emotional weight of life. The speaker reflects on a mysterious force that influences their being, constructed from elemental materials like salt and lime, symbolizing the fragility and transience of life. This force evokes a sense of wonder and struggle, as the speaker grapples with the dichotomy of soaring aspirations and earthly limitations. The imagery of snow-capped peaks represents lofty ideals and the human condition, where the struggle for breath and existence is juxtaposed against the beauty of the world. The speaker feels a sense of confinement despite their potential for flight, suggesting an internal conflict between the desire for freedom and the burdens of reality. The "sweet emotions" that hinder their ascent indicate a complex relationship with joy and sorrow, highlighting the paradox of human experience. As the poem progresses, the speaker urges their wings to rise, indicating a yearning to transcend earthly concerns and embrace a more profound joy. The call to journey "barefoot with a mortal joy" suggests a desire to connect with the tangible aspects of life, even if it means relinquishing the lofty aspirations symbolized by flight. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the struggle between the desire for transcendence and the acceptance of human limitations, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of joy, existence, and the forces that shape our lives.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1920 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Imagist Poetry · 135 words

First lines

What thing is this that, built of salt and lime

And such dry motes as in the sunbeam show, Has power upon me that do daily climb

The dustless air? -for whom those peaks of snow

Where up the lungs of man with borrowed breath

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What Thing is this That is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1920 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Imagist Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Romantic Poetry
Length: 135 words
Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Genres

Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist Poetry — The poem reflects modernist themes of existential inquiry and individual experience.
Imagist Poetry — The vivid imagery and focus on sensory experience align with imagist principles.
Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of existence and the nature of being indicates philosophical themes.