When we that Wore the Myrtle Wear

Name: When we that Wore the Myrtle Wear
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable decay that comes with it. It begins with a contemplation of mortality, contrasting the vibrant past, symbolized by the myrtle, with the present state of dust and darkness. The speaker acknowledges the loss of youthful exuberance and the transition into a state of silence and stillness, where laughter and desire are replaced by the weight of wisdom and experience. As the speaker considers the future generations, represented by the "boys and girls" yet to be born, there is a sense of nostalgia for a time when love was vibrant and real. The imagery of diving for copper coins suggests a search for value or meaning, which may be lost in the passage of time. The speaker implores the living not to tarnish the memory of their love with cynicism or slander, emphasizing the importance of honoring the belief in true love even in death. The poem ultimately serves as a meditation on love's endurance beyond life, urging those who remain to respect the legacy of love that persists despite the physical absence of the lovers. It encapsulates themes of love, mortality, and the human experience, highlighting the contrast between youthful passion and the somber reality of aging and death. The call for silence at the gravesite underscores a desire for reverence and acknowledgment of a love that was genuine and profound, despite the inevitable fading of life.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1920 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 149 words

First lines

When we that wore the myrtle wear the dust, And years of daikness cover up our eyes, And all our arrogant laughter and sweet lust

Keep counsel with the scruples of the wise;

When boys and girls that now are in the loins

Of croaking lads, dip oar into the sea,- And who are these that dive for copper coins? No longer we, my love, no longer we- Then let the fortunate breathers of the air, When we lie speechless in the muffling mould, Tease not our ghosts with slander, pause not there

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When we that Wore the Myrtle Wear 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, Romanticism, Elegy, Modernism, Philosophical Poetry
Length: 149 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its emotional expression and personal reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time align with Romantic ideals.
Elegy — The poem reflects on mortality and the remembrance of love, fitting the elegiac form.
Modernism — The poem's exploration of existential themes and innovative use of language aligns with modernist characteristics.