One of the first things Vincent explained to Norma was that there was a certain freedom of language in the Village that mustn't shock her. It wasn't vulgar. 'So we sat darning socks on Waverly Place and practiced the use of profanity as we stitched. Needle in, . Needle out, piss. Needle in, . Needle out, c. Until we were easy with the words.
In Nancy Milford's biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Savage Beauty," the author recounts a moment where Vincent introduces Norma to the unique linguistic freedom of their Village community. He reassures her that the language used there is not vulgar but rather a liberating expression reflecting their environment. This is crucial for Norma to understand as she navigates this creative and free-spirited atmosphere.
As part of adapting to this new world, Vincent and Norma engage in an unusual but endearing exercise, darning socks while incorporating profanity into their stitching routine. This playful practice serves to help them become comfortable with the words, blending the mundane task with the vibrant expression of language. Through this example, Milford highlights the playful yet profound relationship between language and creativity in Millay's life.
