Use the poem "Recuerdo" by Edna St. Vincent Millay to complete the activity.

(1) We were very tired, we were very merry—

We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

It was bare and bright, and smelled like a stable—

But we looked into a fire, we leaned across a table,

We lay on a hill-top underneath the moon;

And the whistles kept blowing, and the dawn came soon.

(2) We were very tired, we were very merry—

We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry;

And you ate an apple, and I ate a pear,

From a dozen of each we had bought somewhere;

And the sky went wan, and the wind came cold,

And the sun rose dripping, a bucketful of gold.

(3) We were very tired, we were very merry,

We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

We hailed, “Good morrow, mother!” to a shawl-covered head,

And bought a morning paper, which neither of us read;

And she wept, “God bless you!” for the apples and pears,

And we gave her all our money but our subway fares.



In one to two sentences, explain how the repeated lines contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

(2 points)

Short Answer Rubric (2 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
2
The answer is very clear.

The answer is fully supported by details.

There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

1
The answer is somewhat clear.

Details are weak or not related.

There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

0
The question is not answered.



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The repeated lines of "We were very tired, we were very merry—We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry" reflect the cyclical and repetitive nature of the narrator's experience, emphasizing the sense of exhaustion and joy that comes from a night of adventure and connection.