Bitter Quote by Edna St. Vincent Millay
““ Time Does Not Bring Relief Time does not bring relief; you all have lied Who told me time would ease me of my pain! I miss him in the weeping of the rain; I want him at the shrinking of the tide; The old snows melt from every mountain-side, And last year’s leaves are smoke in every lane; But last year’s bitter loving must remain Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide. There are a hundred places where I fear To go,—so with his memory they brim. And entering with relief some quiet place Where never fell his foot or shone his face I say, “There is no memory of him here!” And so stand stricken, so remembering him.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Time Does Not Bring Relief” (published 1920)
The poet laments that time does not heal grief; memories persist and pain remains despite the passage of seasons.
In simple terms: Time doesn’t ease sorrow; memories stay.
Key Takeaway
Accept that healing may require more than waiting.
Themes
grief
memory
time
loss
Mood
sad
reflective
Type
poetic
emotional
When to use this quote
- bereavement
- reflection
- writing
Key Concepts
impermanence
nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to “move on” when memories linger?
- How can one find solace beyond the passage of time?
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