When the Year Grows Old

Name: When the Year Grows Old
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the passage of time and the transition from warmth to the coldness of late autumn and winter. The speaker reminisces about a woman who had a profound aversion to the cold months, particularly October and November. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, as the woman observes the swallows departing and expresses her discomfort with the changing seasons. The speaker recalls specific moments, such as the brittle brown leaves and the mournful sound of the wind, which contribute to the atmosphere of sadness. The woman's demeanor is described as fearful and trapped, likened to a "scared thing sitting in a net," suggesting a deeper emotional struggle with the inevitability of change and the harshness of winter. Despite the beauty found in the winter landscape—like the soft snow at nightfall and the bare branches—the woman finds solace only in the warmth of the fire, the comfort of fur, and the simple act of boiling water. These elements symbolize safety and refuge from the external cold, contrasting with her internal turmoil. The repetition of the phrase "I cannot but remember" emphasizes the speaker's fixation on these memories, indicating that the feelings associated with the woman and the changing seasons are indelible. The poem captures the tension between the beauty of nature and the discomfort of emotional vulnerability, ultimately portraying a poignant reflection on aging, loss, and the passage of time.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Writing · 260 words

First lines

I cannot but remember When the year grows old-

October- November- How she disliked the cold!

She used to watch the swallows Go down across the sky,

And turn from the window With a little sharp sigh.

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When the Year Grows Old is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1928 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Writing, Modernist Literature, Romanticism
Length: 260 words
Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of nature, memory, and emotional reflection.
Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry, focusing on the speaker's emotional response to the changing seasons.
Nature Writing — The poem vividly describes natural elements and seasonal changes, emphasizing the relationship between human emotions and the environment.
Modernist Literature — The poem reflects modernist themes of introspection and the passage of time, typical of early 20th-century literature.