savage beauty

in the middle of reading savage beauty: the life of edna st. vincent millay

(must say a thank you to my housemate for such a wonderful library with which to amuse myself)

i have always loved millay's poetry, but until now knew little about her life. she seemed to have an intoxicating effect on people. the entire country was in love with her, yet she ultimately cared little for those other than her family and her work. as fascinating as the book is, the author leaves much to be desired. milford provides a complete chronology without delving into millay's motivations. i am left wishing milford would analyze her findings, but nevertheless her findings alone are still mesmerizing.

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The world stands out on either side
No wider than the heart is wide;
Above the world is stretched the sky, --
No higher than the soul is high.
The heart can push the sea and land
Farther away on either hand;
The soul can split the sky in two,
And let the face of God shine through.
But East and West will pinch the heart
That can not keep them pushed apart;
And he whose soul is flat -- the sky

Will cave in on him by and by.

from renascence

you must read the whole poem here