The Day Millicent Found the World

The Day Millicent Found the World
William Stafford

Every morning Millicent ventured farther into the woods. At first she stayed near light, the edge where bushes grew, where her way back appeared in glimpses among dark trunks behind her. Then by farther paths or openings where giant pines had fallen she explored ever deeper into the interior, till one day she stood under a great dome among columns, the heart of the forest, and knew: Lost. She had achieved a mysterious world where any direction would yield only surprise.

And now not only the giant trees were strange but the ground at her feet had a velvet nearness; intricate lines on bark wove messages all around her. Long strokes of golden sunlight shifted over her feet and hands. She felt caught up and breathing in a great powerful embrace. A birdcall wandered forth at leisurely intervals from an opening on her right: “Come away, Come away.” Never before had she let herself realize that she was part of the world and that it would follow Wherever she went. She was part of its breath.

Aunt Dolbee called her back that time, a high voice tapering faintly among the farthest trees, Milli-cent! Milli-cent! And that time she returned, but slowly, her dress fluttering along pressing back branches, her feet stirring up the dark smell of moss, and her face floating forward, a stranger’s face now, with a new depth in it, into the light.

I really enjoyed this poem when we read it in class last time, so I decided to say what I thought it was about when I read it. Of course, like almost all of my other ones, this blog will mostly be about the content of the poem.

I wanted to build off of what Becky said about this poem being about a coming-of-age theme...I think this poem is about a journey and learning experience, but I don't necessarily think that it about someone at a certain age, I think it can be anyone in particular.

I think the whole meaning and tone of this poem is about an epiphany, spiritual realization or the person growing intellectually...something along those lines.

I think the metaphor in the poem is that people have to experience something dark (the forest) and need to be lost to learn, grow, and be a part of the world (light). I think that "Millicent" can be any age, but she is only a child until she experiences darkness. She is changed and more wise when she runs to Aunt Dolbee's call into the light.

This poem was very story-like because it went through stages, and it used enjambment to create the story. There are 3 stanzas, the first two with 11 lines, and the second with 7 lines.