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!
“First Fig” from A Few Figs from Thistles (1920)

Alongside Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Marianne Moore, and E. E. Cummings, Edna St. Vincent Millay remains among the most celebrated poets of the early twentieth century for her uniquely lyrical explorations of love, individuality, and artistic expression. This invaluable compendium of her work is not only an essential addition to any collection of the world’s most moving and memorable poetry but an unprecedented look into her life.