Edna St Vincent Millay (1892-1950) was once one of the most popular poets in the US, reading to audiences of thousands. Her poems tell of love, loss, and death, perennial subjects for all poets, but they are perhaps too sentimental for modern taste. They are not too sentimental for me, and I not only read through a collection of her poems but also read a biography. First Fig is the first poem of hers that came to mind, but as it’s only four lines I’ve added Travel.

Travel

The railroad track is miles away,

    And the day is loud with voices speaking,

Yet there isn’t a train goes by all day

    But I hear its whistle shrieking.

All night there isn’t a train goes by,

    Though the night is still for sleep and dreaming,

But I see its cinders red on the sky,

    And hear its engine steaming.

My heart is warm with the friends I make,

    And better friends I’ll not be knowing;

Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take,

    No matter where it’s going.

First fig

My candle burns at both ends;

    It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—

    It gives a lovely light!