“Poetry for Young People: Edna St. Vincent Millay”
by Frances Schoonmaker, illustrated by Mike Bryce. Sterling Publishing Company, 1999, 48 pages, Grades 6-9.
Poetry is one of the most difficult genres of writing. Poetry is the art of describing complex ideas with very few words. This makes poets the ultimate wordsmiths. Though nonsense poetry is fun to read and relaxing, serious poetry makes demands on readers. They must be willing to enter into the ideas and emotions of the verse. As a result, readers are often deeply moved by the ideas and feelings being described. While traditional poetry usually contained some type of rhyming sequence, poets in the late 1800’s had already began turning from these traditional styles. Edna St. Vincent Millay was one such poet. Born in 1892, she burst onto the literary scene at the age of 20 with her famous poem, “Renascence.”
Frances Schoonmaker has gathered 34 of St. Vincent Millay’s poems together in this book published for younger readers. The name of this fine title is “Poetry for Young People: Edna St. Vincent Millay.”
Born into a New England world, Edna early learned the power of music, words and literature. When her father and mother divorced Edna was seven and began to understand that there would be suffering and pain in this life. She turned to her artistic side to make sense of the world. With her two sisters, Edna began to write plays and sing songs. Her caring mother became a seamstress and a nurse but never was able to make much money. The young girl kept writing poetry throughout these years. At the age of 20, she published her first poem, “Renascence.” The poem was so well received that she gained a certain fame from the verse. And with this, she began to write and write. Unfortunately, Edna suffered the typical fate of many poets. Though her poetry was increasingly liked, there was very little money from her publications. She worked hard at all kinds of trades such as a newspaper columnist and an actress. There were times when she was so poor that she couldn’t even heat her apartment. But she continued to write and write.
Fortune finally blessed her when a rich man with a generous heart fell in love with Edna. His name was Eugen Jan Boissevain. Having already made a great deal of money, he retired and served as Edna’s confidant, companion and stable rock of affection for their entire marriage. Finally freed from the trials of survival, St. Vincent Millay spent her entire life writing poetry. In the happy years that followed, Edna found her poetic voice in the everyday concerns of life and in the common emotions felt by everyone. Her deep love of the natural world is evident in most of her poems.
While the poetic style of Edna St. Vincent Millay has been criticized by some people as being too simple to be great poetry, others simply loved her imaginative use of common words and ideas. After all, poetry is usually criticized for being too intellectual or unapproachable. Rarely have poets been criticized for writing poetry that can be commonly understood and appreciated by normal people. But this is where her greatness lies. In her simple language, Edna St. Vincent Millay describes a complex world of feeling and beauty. She tries to understand the ultimate meaning of life and helps readers ask these important questions as well. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and read this fine selection of poems by this sensitive New England woman. I liked the book and think you will as well. Enjoy!
