“What Lips My Lips Have Kissed and Where, and Why”: A Poem About Regret
1. Introduction
“What Lips My Lips Have Kissed and Where, and Why” is a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay that was published in 1923. The poem is about the speaker’s regrets over the people they have kissed in their life and how those kisses have led to pain and loneliness. The speaker reflects on how the beauty of those they have kissed has faded over time, but the pain of their loss remains. The poem is shot through with the tragic anticipation of the inevitable. But the author is calm and reserved, a little mournful, though. That is the very essence of the poem.
2. The poem’s title
The title of the poem reflects the speaker’s regrets over their past choices. They reflect on all of the people they have kissed and where those kisses took place. The title also includes the word “why”, which shows that the speaker is questioning their decisions. They are wondering why they chose to kiss certain people, and how those kisses have led to pain and loneliness.
3. Themes in the poem
The main themes in the poem are regret, loss, and the circle of life. The speaker regrets kissing certain people, as it has led to pain and loneliness. They also reflect on how the beauty of those they have kissed has faded over time. This is a reminder that everything is temporary, and that life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
4. The author’s use of language
The author uses simple language to convey complex emotions. The poem is written in first person, which allows readers to empathize with the speaker’s experience. The author also uses sensory images to create a vivid picture for readers. For example, they describe how “the leaves/That drop so late are touched with frost.” This creates a sense of loss and melancholy that is central to the poem’s overall tone.
5. The poem’s structure
The poem is structured as a series of reflections on past experiences. Each stanza begins with a different reflection, but all of them are connected by the common theme of regretting past choices. This structure reinforces the idea that the speaker is reflecting on their life and questioning their decisions.
6. The overall message of the poem
The overall message of the poem is that life is temporary and we must make peace with our choices, even if they lead to pain or loneliness. The speaker reflects on how their choices have led to both positive and negative outcomes. They remind readers that everything fades over time, but we must accept both the good and bad moments of our lives.
In conclusion, “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed and Where, and Why” is a poem about the speaker’s regrets over the people they have kissed in their life and how those kisses have led to pain and loneliness. The poem is shot through with the tragic anticipation of the inevitable. But the author is calm and reserved, a little mournful, though. That is the very essence of the poem.