What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, And Where, And Why (Sonnet Xliii) Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay

What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, And Where, And Why (Sonnet Xliii)

Rating: 4.0


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 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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ebony Nelson 03 August 2005

i don't get it wat is the point of this poem supposely no affence

6 34 Reply
Kathleen Burns 27 November 2013

This is a poem I myself remember when I look back on my lovers

13 16 Reply
Digby Martin 05 August 2007

Beautiful, with a wonderful choice of words.

17 8 Reply
Colleen Courtney 17 May 2014

One of my absolute favorites as it recalls to mind my own many lovers of my past. A poem only a woman could write so perfectly and be so greatly understood by women everywhere. Truly one of the poets fines writes!

13 11 Reply
Rajesh Majumdar 14 September 2014

The line Thus in winter..... seems to be a syllable short (9) . It doesn't seem to affect the reading and I cannot indestand why. All the other lines have 10 syllables.

12 3 Reply
Nabakishore Dash 02 September 2021

Beautifully worded love song.

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 30 August 2021

Congratulations being chosen as The Classic Poem Of The Day

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 30 August 2021

Very heart touching poem by the great North American Poetess. Powerfully worded poem

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 29 August 2021

I only know that summer sang in me A little while, that in me sings no more.A very sad ending lines. Very sad and this shouting Sonnet touches my heart.5 Stars for the great Poetess!

0 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 29 August 2021

Beautiful work of art, very heartfelt with strong emotions. It touched my heart......

0 0 Reply
Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Rockland / Maine / United States
Close
Error Success