Edna St. Vincent Millay

Sonnet xlii What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why, I have forgotten, and what arms have lain Under my head till morning; but the rain Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh Upon the glass and listen for reply, And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain For unremembered lads that not again Will turn to me at midnight with a cry. Thus in the winter stands the lonely tree, Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one, Yet knows its boughs more silent than before: I cannot say what loves have come and gone, I only know that summer sang in me A little while, that in me sings no more.

Born: February 22, 1892 - in Rockland, Maine Died: October 19, 1950

"Please give me some good advice in your next letter. I promise not to follow it."

"Pity me that the heart is slow to learn / What the swift mind beholds at every turn."

"There is no God. But it does not matter. Man is enough.

"My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends - It gives a lovely light.

"The most I ever did for you was to outlive you. But that is much."

POSTSCRIPT "When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it." ANATOLE FRANCE

NEXT AUTHOR PAGE = JAMES MILLS TO MY LITERATURE MAIN PAGE TO MY HOME PAGE E-MAIL