Edna St. Vincent Millay is known for writing Shakespearean sonnets; however, this poem was different because it was an Italian sonnet. Millay lived a life of many affairs and through her poems; her own life could be seen.
“What lips, my lips have kissed, and where, and why” by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a poem about how unexpected love can be. Women wait for their prince charming to come along, however, life can take an unexpected journey. This poem gave an insight into the lives of many women who have many affairs and in the end face the solitary life.
What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
These first two lines from the poem state how this woman has had so many men in her life that she cannot even remember who they were The poem does not only speak of how this women has had a past filled with many men, but a past that has made her future lonesome.
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.
After reading the last few lines, I interpreted that the narrator has given up on life. Her life to her is like a deck of cards. The men in her life have left a mark on her. The amount of pain she endured from these relationships overtook her body and soul. I enjoyed this poem very much because this poem can be related to women from all generations in society. Women strive for love even if it means being used by many. The affection that is given even for a minute is greater than the pain of being lonely.
