edna st. vincent millay
As a young 20 something in NYC, I was completely smitten with Edna St. Vincent Millay and her poetry. I loved her fiery sonnets about independence and she made me feel like the strongest girl in the whole wide world. Admittedly, I still stalk her former home when I'm in Greenwich Village. It's the narrowest home in New York City by the way and just sold for 3.25 million!
I Shall Forget You Presently, My Dear
I shall forget you presently, my dear,
So make the most of this, your little day,
Your little month, your little half a year,
Ere I forget, or die, or move away,
And we are done forever; by and by
I shall forget you, as I said, but now,
If you entreat me with your loveliest lie
I will protest you with my favorite vow.
I would indeed that love were longer-lived,
And vows were not so brittle as they are,
But so it is, and nature has contrived
To struggle on without a break thus far,
Whether or not we find what we are seeking
Is idle, biologically speaking.
Edna St. Vincent Millay