Images of Millay's Emotional state in What lips My Lips Have Kissed - Essay Example

This particular observation can be noted in lines one and two of the poem as stated below. “What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why, (line 1) I have forgotten, and what arms have lain (line 2)” Upon reflecting on her past love affairs, there were some images that helped her convey her emotional state. Specifically, inline-three and four stated that “Under my head till morning; but the rain (line 3) Is full of ghosts tonight that tap and sigh (line 4)” suggests that the speaker had to spend the rest of the evening without the presence of a loving man.

Line seven and eight stated that “For unremembered lads that not again (line 7); Will turns to me at midnight with a cry (line 8)” expresses the idea that the speaker had several times experienced crying because of misunderstanding with a man. The reason why she feels the way she does is because of her past recent summer relationship which has ended for no reason at all. In line with this, the speaker’s recent summer relationship was clearly indicated in lines thirteen and fourteen of the poem stating that “I only know that summer sang in me (line 13); A little while, that in me sings no more (line 14)”.

Although the speaker does not clearly reflect any forms of bitterness or regrets, line six of the poem which stated that “And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain” suggests that the speaker is emotionally hurt was because of the last summer love she had with a man. All this made her think about her past relationships that never worked the way she wanted.