Inspiration from Edna St. Vincent Millay: Renascence
August 2, 2009
*
I know not how such things can be!—
I breathed my soul back into me.
Ah! Up then from the ground sprang I
And hailed the earth with such a cry
As is not heard save from a man
Who has been dead, and lives again.
About the trees my arms I wound;
Like one gone mad I hugged the ground;
I raised my quivering arms on high;
I laughed and laughed into the sky,
Till at my throat a strangling sob
Caught fiercely, and a great heart-throb
Sent instant tears into my eyes;
O God, I cried, no dark disguise
Can e’er hereafter hide from me
Thy radiant identity!
Thou canst not move across the grass
But my quick eyes will see Thee pass,
Nor speak, however silently,
But my hushed voice will answer Thee.
I know the path that tells Thy way
Through the cool eve of every day;
God, I can push the grass apart
And lay my finger on Thy heart!
*
These are just a few stanzas from the poem, “Renascence“, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. I highly recommend reading the original version. This section, though, describes so perfectly the freedom and joy we have been feeling ever since we made the big decision.
Do you feel this free? Or this much joy?
If not, what can you do about it?
P.S. — If you are interested in learning more about the life of this unconventional poet, you might enjoy Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay
Related posts:
- Inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe: Alone
- Inspiration from the Tao Te Ching: Harmony
- Inspiration from Pema Chodron: Everyone and Everything
- Inspiration from Yoko Ono: Seasons Pass
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Lisis,
Love the poem! And especially the line – “I breathed my soul back into me”. Wow, those few words are powerfully connecting for me. Am I there? Feeling that free and full of joy? Well…maybe not “there” yet, although on this journey through life, I feel like I’m as close as I’ve ever been. As I continue to evolve and move toward a higher plane of soul connection in my life, I’m getting closer every day – to where this feels complete and real. Or maybe, maybe it’s something that’s never fully complete, as we continue to go through life, and every day is a new opportunity to grow further or closer toward this feeling of free-ness and joy.
You’re doing it Lisis. And that just helps others to believe a little more in themselves, and what they can do. What I can do…
Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day
Oh my God, this is just beautiful … I’ve never read any of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s work before, but as you said, it’s well worth it. Her words “I can push the grass apart, and lay my finger on they heart.” I’m just beginning to feel this level of majesty in my life, as I open up more and more to the idea that we are all one with God, and all around us is God. I see clouds and think, “God!” I see bees and think, “God!” I see trash and think, “God!” I’ve never felt more alive than I do this year… Nor more grateful.
Congratulations to you and your husband for taking a leap. I truly believe that God makes a way where there is no way, and that those who believe are rewarded. God’s love and grace to you always!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..What’s In An Opinion?
This is really beautiful, and powerful. I loved it! Thanks for sharing; you’ve made my day!
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..I Totally Screwed My Karma
I do, I do! I do feel freedom and joy lately. And am so glad you do, too = just one more sign that you guys have made the right decision for you: it is full of light-ness, it is full of light. So happy for you, my friend!
Chania Girl´s last blog ..The Healing Power of the Sea
This is a great poem Lisis. In answer to your question, I don’t feel that free. Yet. I’m still living under my mom and so naturally I’m going to feel a bit constrained from time to time. But I like the message these few stanzas convey.
Keep going strong on your quest for balance!
John´s last blog ..Love the Skin You’re In In 5 Easy Steps
Absolutely precious! We all have the “power” to be free on any level we choose. It is a choice. That becomes much clearer the older you get. I look back on my 60 plus years and see there was a lot of opportunity for free soaring and I often settled. I don’t harbor regret – it is what it is – but knowing time is shorter sure makes me pump it up and go for it!
suzen´s last blog ..Dance With Joy Wherever You Go!
Lisis, so Perfect and Profound are the words to these stanzas, that while reading them my heart actually stopped for a bit. Just lovely. It just engulfs you with such emotion that its hard to describe in words. Thanks so much for introducing me to Edna St. Vincent Millay’s work. Will make sure i get the original.
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..I Only Ask Of God…
Good morning, everyone! Happy Sunday! I just had my morning coffee and I’m already shamelessly behind on comments. Talk about a slacker!
@ Lance: That was my favorite line too, partly because she says “I”, as in, it wasn’t something that just happened… I did it… I chose it… I reclaimed my life, and in doing so, I now feel so interconnected to everything and everyone. The feeling of being separate, alone, or isolated is just not our natural state. We are all in this together, so if I can blaze a trail for others to follow, I’m more than happy to do it.
@ Megan: I’m really happy for you because you are starting to be aware of how God, life, love, one-ness is in EVERYTHING… we are never apart from the stuff that connects us all; it’s all around us. Realizing that, and being able to feel it, is HUGE because then you know you are never alone. You are part of something greater, so enjoy the ride.
@ Jay: Well, darlin’, I just LIVE to make your day… it’s in my job description.
@ Carla: I’m so thrilled to hear that you are feeling the joy these days. I know you’ve had a rough adjustment phase, being away from Greece and your fiance all this time. That can’t be easy. But this time, too, shall pass and it sounds like you are feeling that at last… “free at last!”
@ John: You know, hon, you are in a different place right now because you are in an earlier stage of life. The college years are the transition between being completely dependent on another (for instance, your mom) and standing your own ground out in the world. YOU don’t need to rush out to freedom just yet.
If you are fortunate enough to still have your mom, and be able to lean on her and turn to her, I’d say… make the most of that. Soak it all up now in case there comes a time when you don’t have that luxury. Believe me, I wish I hadn’t been in such a hurry to grow up and get out from under my parents.
@ Suzen: There’s definitely no need to live with regrets about choices we made or didn’t make in the past… everything happens for a reason, I’m certain of that. But you are right that, as we become more aware of how fragile and short life is, it gets a lot harder to just take life for granted. We realize that, if we are going to make the most of this journey, we’ve got to take control of the wheel because “autopilot” doesn’t seem to be getting us anywhere interesting. It’s definitely time to pump it up!!
@ Zeenat: Me too, me too! When I read this poem, and especially these stanzas, I could just feel my heart pumping faster. I thought, Yes! That’s exactly it!!! I feel LIFE in my lungs again!!
The original poem (which I linked to in the word Renascence) is quite long, but it follows her journey from giving up on life and feeling like she had died, or might as well have, to fighting to reclaim her life and finding joy again. Quite a woman, this Vincent Millay, as she liked to be called. I’ll add a link in the post to the book Savage Beauty… the story of her life. One of my favorite reads.
This poem tells my story. I too wanted to give up on life, but fought to save myself and find my joy. I am still battling, but I am at a place where these battles are few and far between. Joy and freedom are the norm now. Thank you for finding this and sharing it.
Jill´s last blog ..Change is hard
Hi Lisis,
I’m not sure I’ve read this poem prior to today, but I’ll be sure to go get the full version you mentioned. I love the rhythm of this poem. It took me away–somewhere else.
Do I feel this free? Do I feel this much joy? Well, I try to take a step in that direction every day. I’m not quite there yet, but I’ve laid the tracks, and I like where my train is headed.
Love this post! Happy Sunday!
Lori´s last blog ..Writing Right
Edna St. Vincent Millay was a woman who lived life on her own terms. Nice pick, given the adventure you’re about to embark on! : )
Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Inspiration from Edna St.Vincent Millay: Renascence
@ Jill: I’m so glad that joy and freedom are the norm for you now. I think you would really enjoy the full version of the poem, considering what your journey has been.
@ Lori: I like where your train is headed too! You would love the book, Savage Beauty, which was recommended to me by Ali. We’re just some wild and crazy gals!
@ Ali: That, my dear, is an understatement. She seemed to make up the terms as she went along, never afraid to live life to the fullest. Hence her most famous quote:
“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!”
It is truly wonderful to come across another fan of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I love poetry and she is one of my favorites!
Lena´s last blog ..Friday Shoot Out–Food
Likewise, Lena! You know, other than Ali recommending the book to me, I’ve never met anyone else who has even heard of ESVM. She’s like a closely guarded secret… a hidden delight!
Positively beautiful !
Hi Lisis,
Thanks for a beautiful, powerful poem…reminds me of Buddha’s words just after awakening: Marvelous! Marvelous! All beings are already their Buddha nature!
A beautiful pointer to the joy that is already within!
Thanks.
Kaushik´s last blog ..Gentle Honesty
@ Bunny and Kaushik: Thank you! I appreciate your enthusiasm.