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Comment 8 of 8, added on May 26th, 2006 at 8:04 AM.
My Mother always told me that this was my father's favorite poem and he
lived his life just this way. A tea planter in Darjeeling for 20 years
until partition, he died young at 45. I choose to subscribe to the
philosophy I see expressed in this marvelous poem too.
Peter from China
Comment 7 of 8, added on April 18th, 2006 at 11:11 PM.
Since Millay begins (and ends)this memorable poem with the third person (
"my candle" and "it,") I sense that she discovers it burning at both ends.
She doesn't consciously turn it downside-up to light it there herself. The
poem does not begin with "I burn my candle..." It burns itself on both
ends, and the author, somewhat detached and regarding it, decides that this
odd occurrence is not a bad thing. In fact, it is the candle she is given
to carry, and she holds it up for all to see. It is her candle. She
learns to love it, naturally.
Bruce from United States
Comment 6 of 8, added on February 20th, 2006 at 11:02 PM.
I've always thought of this as a poem on the consequence of excess.
Candles work best when burnt from one end. Best is good. Light for a long
time is good. Never does she intimate that one cannot have brillance and
longevity. After all, isn't that the goal, or a first step?
Michael from United States
Comment 5 of 8, added on July 4th, 2005 at 3:25 PM.
the most important statement millay makes is that her candle burns at both
ends. would that each of us were able to burn that brightly all the time.
and if we were able to achieve that end would the energy required to expend
it cause us to burn out? i think it would.
garrett from United States
Comment 4 of 8, added on June 7th, 2005 at 10:58 PM.
My favorite poem ever. I try to live my life by this.
Barbara from United States
Comment 3 of 8, added on April 26th, 2005 at 8:35 AM.
Millay was exceptional. What an epitaph for her or for anyone who lives
life to the fullest and understands that all good things must come to an
end. Robert---don't give up your day job---there are not literary jobs
waiting for you.
C.T. from United States
Comment 2 of 8, added on February 14th, 2005 at 1:25 AM.
burning bright and dying young is better than burning
dying old and never creating light
andrew from United States
Comment 1 of 8, added on November 18th, 2004 at 11:12 PM.
A more updated version?..."It's better to burn out, than to fade away (my,
my, hey, hey)"
Robert from United States
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My Mother always told me that this was my father's favorite poem and he
lived his life just this way. A tea planter in Darjeeling for 20 years
until partition, he died young at 45. I choose to subscribe to the
philosophy I see expressed in this marvelous poem too.
Peter from China