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Death devours all lovely things; Lesbia with her sparrow…

“Death devours all lovely things; Lesbia with her sparrow Shares the darkness--presently Every bed is narrow.” quote by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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“Death devours all lovely things; Lesbia with her sparrow Shares the darkness--presently Every bed is narrow.”

Edna St. Vincent Millay

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem juxtaposes death’s consumption with fleeting love, using vivid imagery of a sparrow and narrow beds.

In simple terms: Death consumes beauty; love is fragile.

Key Takeaway

Cherish love before it fades.

Themes

mortality love poetry

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • literary analysis
  • creative writing
  • philosophical reflection

Key Concepts

transience symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the sparrow symbolize?
  • How does the poem’s tone affect your view of love?
A Different Perspective

Poetry may romanticize loss.

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