When it is Over

Name: When it is Over
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the inevitability of endings and the persistence of nature despite human transience. It begins with the acknowledgment that an end will come, yet nature will continue to thrive, symbolized by the yellow melilot and clover along the roadside. The speaker contemplates the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that even after human existence fades, the beauty of the natural world will endure. As the poem progresses, the speaker questions the purpose of this beauty, particularly the blossoms of an apple orchard. They ponder for whom these flowers bloom, concluding that they serve a utilitarian purpose rather than a personal one. The blossoms are destined to become fruit, which will be valued for its practical uses—wood for construction or food for sustenance—rather than for their ephemeral beauty. The imagery evokes a sense of loss, as the speaker reflects on how humanity often overlooks the present beauty in favor of future utility. The poem critiques a utilitarian view of nature, emphasizing the disconnect between human appreciation and the intrinsic value of natural beauty. Ultimately, it presents a meditation on existence, the passage of time, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world, suggesting that while nature persists, human recognition of its beauty may be fleeting.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1943 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Philosophical Literature · 320 words

First lines

When it is over-for it will be over, Though we who watched it be gone, watched it and with it died- Will there be none the less the yellow melilot, the white, the

high sweet clover, Close to the dusty, fragrant, hot roadside? Oh, yes, there will! - Escaped from fields of fodder, for there must be fodder still. .

What this Textopian page supports

When it is Over is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1943 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: 1943 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Philosophical Literature, Modernist Literature, Lyric Poetry
Length: 320 words
Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

Good citation fit

Work identity for When it is Over by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering When it is Over?
How does this poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing lyrical language and structured form typical of poetry.
Nature Writing — The poem explores themes of nature, focusing on the beauty and transience of blossoms and the natural world.
Philosophical Literature — It contemplates existential themes, such as the passage of time and the relationship between humanity and nature.
Modernist Literature — The poem reflects modernist characteristics through its introspective tone and exploration of complex themes.