Burial Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Burial

Rating: 2.7


Mine is a body that should die at sea!
And have for a grave, instead of a grave
Six feet deep and the length of me,
All the water that is under the wave!
And terrible fishes to seize my flesh,
Such as a living man might fear,
And eat me while I am firm and fresh,—
Not wait till I've been dead for a year!

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Colleen Courtney 17 May 2014

I find this an interesting piece. Don't know whether the poet at the time was speaking seriously as from a state of depression or had just decided to write a quirky, somewhat humorous poem. Hmm.....

0 1 Reply
John Hardesty 02 July 2013

Leagues below, the depression of death that encase all poets, Edna, was no exception! A red-herring.....

1 0 Reply
Marcia Morris 10 July 2007

a burial at sea. I wonder why the poet wrote this line 'and eat me while I am firm and fresh' why would she care if she's eaten after a year. Maybe she wants her body to be fresh food for the fish.hmmmmmmm

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READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Rockland / Maine / United States
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