Recuerdo - A poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay - Recuerdo

WE were very tired, we were very merry
We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
It was bare and bright, and smelled like a stable
But we looked into a fire, we leaned across a table,
We lay on a hill-top underneath the moon;
And the whistles kept blowing, and the dawn came soon. 

We were very tired, we were very merry 
We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry; 
And you ate an apple, and I ate a pear, 
From a dozen of each we had bought somewhere; 
And the sky went wan, and the wind came cold, 
And the sun rose dripping, a bucketful of gold. 

We were very tired, we were very merry,
We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
We hailed, "Good morrow, mother!" to a shawl-covered head, 
And bought a morning paper, which neither of us read;
And she wept, "God bless you!" for the apples and pears,
And we gave her all our money but our subway fares.

Added: on May 8th, 2007 at 7:25 AM | Viewed: 7733 times | Comments and analysis of Recuerdo by Edna St. Vincent Millay Comments (11)

Recuerdo - Comments and Information
Poet: Edna St. Vincent Millay Poem: 3. Recuerdo Volume: A Few Figs From Thistles Year: Published/Written in 1921 Comment 11 of 11, added on September 19th, 2007 at 7:22 PM. Edward K has the gist of it! It is first and foremost a New York experience. The ferry ride cost a nickel, each way - lovers could spend hours in New York harbor watching the stars and skyline for virtually no outlay. Even though the Ferry was public transportation, riders were sparse at night - granting a degree of privacy, and even intimacy despite it being "Bare and bright" They're overflowing joy of being with each other spills over, by chance, to an early morning denizen of the streets, who I'm sure was unprepared for the gaeity with which their minimal but whole-hearted philanthropy was bestowed. The couple was wise enough to retain subway fare home (survival 101 in NYC) Colin from United States Comment 10 of 11, added on May 21st, 2007 at 10:00 AM. I feel that Gabriella's thoughts on the poem are what I also see. Although, my teacher made faces when I used it in my presentation of this poem. But, for example, the part "It was bare and bright, and smelled like a stable." I think that isn't literal but more symmbolic for their boredom and that it stank and was not much fun. Kyle from United States Comment 9 of 11, added on May 8th, 2007 at 7:25 AM. The meaning i get from this poem is completely different, and you may call me crazy, but at least appreciate my thought process. I think the poem is about immigrants when they arrive in this country on Staten Island, and the handlers who help them cross. The fruit~symbolizes the fruit of America, they're not sure where they got it,but they have it. The sun is a bucket of gold. Perhaps the golden opportunity, a beacon of light in a new land. The shawl covered head represents an immigrant woman they helped on the ferry, and she thanks them for the fruit, the opportunity. And finally they gave her all their money because their help was the richest gift to give. Anonymous from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Recuerdo, has received 11 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Edna St. Vincent Millay Poem: 3. Recuerdo Volume: A Few Figs From Thistles Year: Published/Written in 1921 Last read: Jul 4 2008, 3:18PM Viewed 7733 times. Added on May 8th, 2007 at 7:25 AM.

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