One notable feature of "That I Did Always Love" is its use of Petrarchan sonnet form. This traditional form consists of fourteen lines, typically divided into an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet. Millay's adherence to this structure suggests a connection to the sonnet tradition, which was popular during the Renaissance and continued to be used by poets in the early 20th century.
In terms of imagery, "That I Did Always Love" employs a number of metaphors and comparisons to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, the speaker compares their love to a "sea-shell" that is "beating for farewell." This imagery suggests both the beauty and fragility of love, as well as the sense of loss that accompanies its passing. Similarly, the speaker describes their heart as a "cage," suggesting a sense of confinement and restriction. These images are consistent with the broader themes of love, loss, and mortality that were common in poetry of the early 20th century.
Another aspect of "That I Did Always Love" that overlaps with other poems of its period is its use of language. The poem is characterized by its rich, lyrical language, which is often marked by vivid imagery and sensory details. This emphasis on language is evident in many other poems from the early 20th century, particularly among imagist poets such as Ezra Pound and Amy Lowell. Imagism was a poetic movement that emphasized the use of precise and evocative imagery, and Millay's poem reflects this influence in its use of sensory details and vivid language.
Overall, "That I Did Always Love" shares several similarities with other poems of its period in terms of form, imagery, and language. The poem's adherence to the Petrarchan sonnet form, its use of metaphors and comparisons, and its rich, lyrical language all suggest a connection to the broader poetic landscape of the early 20th century.