April Quote by Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Spring TO what purpose, April, do you return again? Beauty is not enough. You can no longer quiet me with the redness Of little leaves opening stickily. I know what I know. The sun is hot on my neck as I observe The spikes of the crocus. The smell of the earth is good. It is apparent that there is no death. But what does that signify? Not only under ground are the brains of men Eaten by maggots. Life in itself Is nothing, An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs. It is not enough that yearly, down this hill, April Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Spring” (1920)
Spring’s return questions beauty; it confronts mortality, prompting existential wonder about life’s meaning.
In simple terms: Spring forces reflection on life and death.
Key Takeaway
Contemplate existence beyond surface beauty.
Themes
nature
mortality
existentialism
beauty
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- gardening
- seasonal changes
- creative writing
Key Concepts
impermanence
philosophical inquiry
Questions to Reflect On
- What does spring symbolize for you?
- How does beauty mask deeper truths?
A Different Perspective
Poetry can be abstract, limiting concrete action.
