Poetry - EE Cummings

Classic Poetry Series
Edward Estlin Cummings

- poems -
Publication Date:
2004
Publisher:
PoemHunter.Com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
1(a... (a leaf falls on loneliness)
1(a
le
af
fa
ll
s)
one
l
iness
EdwardEstlinCummings
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive 2
all in green
Allingreenwentmyloveriding
onagreathorseofgold
intothesilverdawn.
Fourleanhoundscrouchedlowandsmiling
themerrydeerranbefore.
Fleeterbetheythandappleddreams
theswiftreddeer
theredraredeer.
Fourredroebuckatawhitewater
thecruelbuglesangbefore.
Hornathipwentmyloveriding
ridingtheechodown
intothesilverdawn.
thelevelmeadowsranbefore.
Softerbetheythanslipperedsleep
theleanlithedeer
thefleetflowndeer.
Fourfleetdoesatagoldvalley
thefamishedarrowsangbefore.
Bowatbeltwentmyloveriding
ridingthemountaindown
intothesilverdawn.
thesheerpeaksranbefore.
Palerbetheythandauntingdeath
thesleekslimdeer
thetalltensedeer.
Fourtallstagsatthegreenmountain
theluckyhuntersangbefore.
Allingreenwentmyloveriding
onagreathorseofgold
intothesilverdawn.
myheartfelldeadbefore.
anyone lived in a pretty how town
anyonelivedinaprettyhowtown
(withupsofloatingmanybellsdown)
springsummerautumnwinter
hesanghisdidn'thedancedhisdid.
Womenandmen(bothlittleandsmall)
caredforanyonenotatall
theysowedtheirisn'ttheyreapedtheirsame
sunmoonstarsrain
childrenguessed(butonlyafew
anddowntheyforgotasuptheygrew
autumnwinterspringsummer)
thatnoonelovedhimmorebymore
whenbynowandtreebyleaf
shelaughedhisjoyshecriedhisgrief
birdbysnowandstirbystill
anyone'sanywasalltoher
someonesmarriedtheireveryones
laughedtheircryingsanddidtheirdance
(sleepwakehopeandthen)they
saidtheirneverstheyslepttheirdream
starsrainsunmoon
(andonlythesnowcanbegintoexplain
howchildrenareapttoforgettoremember
withupsofloatingmanybellsdown)
onedayanyonediediguess
(andnoonestoopedtokisshisface)
busyfolkburiedthemsidebyside
littlebylittleandwasbywas
allbyallanddeepbydeep
andmorebymoretheydreamtheirsleep
nooneandanyoneearthbyapril
withbyspiritandifbyyes.
Womenandmen(bothdongandding)
summerautumnwinterspring
reapedtheirsowingandwenttheircame
sunmoonstarsrain
Ballad of the Scholar's Lament
WhenIhavestruggledthroughthreehundredyears
ofRomanhistory,andhastenedo'er
SomeFrenchplay-(thoughIhavemyprivatefears
OfflunkingsorelywhenItakethefloor
Inclass),-whenIhavesteepedmysoulingore
AndGreek,andfiguredoverhalfaream
WithAlgebra,whichIdo(not)adore,
HowshallImanagetocomposeatheme?
It'swellenoughtotalkofpoorandpeers,
Andmunchthegoldenapples'shinycore,
Andlayalotofheroesontheirbiers;-
WhilethegreatAlec,knockingdownascore,
Takesouthishandkerchief,boohoo-ing,"More!"-
ButharshlyIawakenfrommydream,
Tofindanew,-er,-privilege,-instore:
AfterI'veswallowedpropheciesofseers,
AndtrailedAeneasfromtheTrojanshore,
LearnedhowAchilles,aftermanyjeers,
OnpiggyAgamemnongottosore,
AndheardhowHercules,Esq.,tore
Around,andsweptanddustedwithastream,
There'sonelastduty,-let'snotcallitbore,-
Envoi
Ofwhatavailisallmymightylore?
Ibeatmybreast,Itearmyhair,Iscream:
"Behold,IhaveaHerculeanchore.
HowshallImanagetocomposeatheme?"
Buffalo Bill
BuffaloBill's
defunct
whousedto
rideawatersmooth-silver
stallion
andbreakonetwothreefourfivepigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
hewasahandsomeman
andwhatIwanttoknowis
howdoyoulikeyourblue-eyedboy
MisterDeath
Fame Speaks
Standforth,JohnKeats!Onearththouknew'stmenot;
Steadfastthroughallthestormsofpassion,thou,
Truetothymuse,andvirgintothyvow;
Resigned,ifnamewithasheswereforgot,
Sothouonearrowinthegoldhad'stshot!
Ineverplacedmylaurelonthybrow,
ButonthynameIcometolayitnow,
Whenthyboneswitherintheearthlyplot.
Fameismyname.Idwellamongtheclouds,
Beingimmortal,andthewreathIbring
ItselfisImmortality.Thesweets
OfearthIknownot,morethepains,butwing
Inmineownether,withthecrowndcrowds
Bornofthecenturies.-Standforth,JohnKeats!
fl... (2)
fl
a
tt
ene
dd
reaml
essn
esse
swa
it
sp
i
t)(t
he
s
e
ooli
shsh
apes
ccocoucougcoughcoughi
ngwithme
nmoreo
nthaninthe
I Am A Beggar Always
iamabeggaralways
whobegsinyourmind
(slightlysmiling,patient,unspeaking
withasignonhis
chest
BLIND)yesi
amthispersonofwhomsomehow
youareneverwhollyrid(andwho
doesnotaskformorethan
justenoughdreamsto
liveon)
afterall,kid
youmightaswell
tosshimafewthoughts
alittlelovepreferably,
anythingwhichyoucan't
passoffonotherpeople:for
instancea
pluggedpromise-
thehewillmaybe(hearingsomething
fallintohishat)gowandering
afteritwithfingers;tillhaving
found
whatwasthrownaway
himself
taptaptapsoutofyourbrain,hopes,life
to(carefullyturninga
corner)neverbotheryouanymore
Anonymoussubmission.
i carry your heart with me
icarryyourheartwithme(icarryitin
myheart)iamneverwithoutit(anywhere
igoyougo,mydear;andwhateverisdone
byonlymeisyourdoing,mydarling)
ifear
nofate(foryouaremyfate,mysweet)iwant
noworld(forbeautifulyouaremyworld,mytrue)
andit'syouarewhateveramoonhasalwaysmeant
andwhateverasunwillalwayssingisyou
hereisthedeepestsecretnobodyknows
(hereistherootoftherootandthebudofthebud
andtheskyoftheskyofatreecalledlife;whichgrows
higherthanthesoulcanhopeormindcanhide)
andthisisthewonderthat'skeepingthestarsapart
icarryyourheart(icarryitinmyheart)
i have found what you are like
ihavefoundwhatyouarelike
therain
(Whofeathersfrightenedfields
withthesuperiordust-of-sleep.wields
easilythepaleclubofthewind
andswirledjustlysoulsofflowerstrike
theairinutterablecoolness
deedsofgrenthrillinglight
withthinned
newfragileyellows
lurchandpress
--inthewoods
which
stutter
and
sing
Andthecoolnessofyoursmileis
stirringofbirdsbetweenmyarms;but
ishouldratherthananything
have(almostwhenhugenesswillshut
quietly)almost,
yourkiss
i like my body when it is with your
ilikemybodywhenitiswithyour
body.Itissoquitenewathing.
Musclesbetterandnervesmore.
ilikeyourbody.ilikewhatitdoes,
ilikeitshows.iliketofeelthespine
ofyourbodyanditsbones,andthetrembling
-firm-smoothnessandwhichiwill
againandagainandagain
kiss,ilikekissingthisandthatofyou,
ilike,slowlystrokingthe,shockingfuzz
ofyourelectricfur,andwhat-is-itcomes
overpartingflesh...Andeyesbiglove-crumbs,
andpossiblyilikethethrill
ofundermeyousoquitenew
i sing of Olaf glad and big
isingofOlafgladandbig
whosewarmestheartrecoiledatwar:
aconscientiousobject-or
hiswellbelovdcolonel(trig
westpointermostsuccinctlybred)
tookerringOlafsooninhand;
but-thoughanhostofoverjoyed
noncoms(firstknockingonthehead
him)dothroughicywatersroll
thathelplessnesswhichothersstroke
withbrushesrecentlyemployed
anentthismuddytoiletbowl,
whilekindredintellectsevoke
allegianceperbluntinstruments-
Olaf(beingtoallintents
acorpseandwantinganyrag
uponwhatGoduntohimgave)
responds,withoutgettingannoyed
"Iwillnotkissyourfuckingflag"
straightawaythesilverbirdlookedgrave
(departinghurriedlytoshave)
but-thoughallkindsofofficers
(ayearningnation'sblueeyedpride)
theirpassivepreydidkickandcurse
untilforweartheirclarion
voicesandbootsweremuchtheworse,
andeggedthefirstclassprivateson
hisrectumwickedlytotease
bymeansofskillfullyapplied
bayonetsroastedhotwithheat-
Olaf(uponwhatwereonceknees)
doesalmostceaselesslyrepeat
"thereissomeshitIwillnoteat"
ourpresident,beingofwhich
assertionsdulynotified
threwtheyellowsonofabitch
intoadungeon,wherehedied
Christ(ofHismercyinfinite)
ipraytosee;andOlaf,too
preponderatinglybecause
unlessstatisticsliehewas
morebravethanme:moreblondthanyou
If
Iffreckleswerelovely,anddaywasnight,
Andmeasleswereniceandaliewarn'talie,
Lifewouldbedelight,-
Butthingscouldn'tgoright
Forinsuchasadplight
Iwouldn'tbeI.
Ifearthwasheaven,andnowwashence,
Andpastwaspresent,andfalsewastrue,
Theremightbesomesense
ButI'dbeinsuspense
Foronsuchapretense
Youwouldn'tbeyou.
Iffearwasplucky,andglobesweresquare,
Anddirtwascleanlyandtearswereglee
Thingswouldseemfair,-
Yetthey'dalldespair,
Forifherewasthere
Wewouldn'tbewe.
if everything happens that can't be done
ifeverythinghappensthatcan'tbedone
(andanything'srighter
thanbooks
couldplan)
thestupidestteacherwillalmostguess
(witharun
skip
aroundwegoyes)
there'snothingassomethingasone
onehasn'tawhyorbecauseoralthough
(andbudsknowbetter
thanbooks
don'tgrow)
one'sanythingoldbeingeverythingnew
(withawhat
which
aroundwecomewho)
one'severyanythingso
soworldisaleafsotreeisabough
(andbirdssingsweeter
thanbooks
tellhow)
sohereisawayandsoyourisamy
(withadown
up
aroundagainfly)
foreverwasnevertillnow
nowiloveyouandyouloveme
(andbooksareshutter
thanbooks
canbe)
anddeepinthehighthatdoesnothingbutfall
(withashout
each
aroundwegoall)
there'ssomebodycallingwho'swe
we'reanythingbrighterthaneventhesun
(we'reeverythinggreater
thanbooks
mightmean)
we'reeveranythingmorethanbelieve
(withaspin
leap
alivewe'realive)
we'rewonderfulonetimesone
if i
ifi
oranybodydon't
knowwhereitherhis
mynextmeal'scomingfrom
isaytohellwiththat
thatdoesn'tmatter(andif
hesheitoreverybodygetsa
bellyfulwithout
liftingmyfingerisaytohell
withthati
saythatdoesn'tmatter)but
ifsomebody
oryouarebeautifulor
deeporgenerouswhat
isayis
whistlethat
singthatyellthatspell
thatoutbig(biggerthancosmic
rayswarearthquakesfamineortheex
princeofwhosesdivinginto
awhatsestorescuemissnobody's
probablyhandbag)becauseisaythat'snot
swell(getme)babenot(understandme)lousy
kidthat'ssomethingelsemysweet(ifeelthat's
true)
If I have made, my lady, intricate
IfIhavemade,mylady,intricate
imperfectvariousthingschieflywhichwrong
youreyes(frailerthanmostdeepdreamsarefrail)
songslessfirmthanyourbody'swhitestsong
uponmymind-ifIhavefailedtosnare
theglancetooshy-ifthroughmysingingslips
theveryskillfulstrangenessofyoursmile
thekeenprimevalsilenceofyourhair
-lettheworldsay"hismostwisemusicstole
nothingfromdeath"-
youwillonlycreate
(whoaresoperfectlyalive)myshame:
ladywhoseprofoundandfragilelips
thesweetsmallclumsyfeetofAprilcame
intotheraggedmeadowofmysoul.
if I should sleep with a lady called death... (III)
ifIshouldsleepwithaladycalleddeath
getanothermanwithfirmerlips`
totakeyournewmouthinhisteeth
(hipspumpingpleasureintohips).
Seeinghowthelimphuddlingstring
ofyoursmileoverhisbodysquirms
kissingly,Iwillbringyoueveryspring
handfulsoflittlenormalworms.
Dressdeftlyyourfleshinstupidstuffs,
phrasetheimmenseweaponofyourhair.
Understandingwhyhiseyelaughs,
Iwillbringyoueveryyear
somethingwhichisworththewhole,
aninchofnothingforyoursoul.
in just-
inJust-
springwhentheworldismud-
lusciousthelittle
lameballoonman
whistlesfarandwee
andeddieandbillcome
runningfrommarblesand
piraciesandit'sspring
whentheworldispuddle-wonderful
thequeer
oldballoonmanwhistles
farandwee
andbettyandisbelcomedancing
fromhop-scotchandjump-ropeand
it'sspring
andthegoat-footed
balloonManwhistles
far
and
wee
in spite of everything...
inspiteofeverything
whichbreathesandmoves,sinceDoom
(withwhitelongesthands
neateningeachcrease)
willsmoothentirelyourminds
-beforeleavingmyroom
iturn,and(stooping
throughthemorning)kiss
thispillow,dear
whereourheadslivedandwere.
in time of daffodils(who know
intimeofdaffodils(whoknow
thegoaloflivingistogrow)
forgettingwhy,rememberhow
intimeoflilacswhoproclaim
theaimofwakingistodream,
rememberso(forgettingseem)
intimeofroses(whoamaze
ournowandherewithparadise)
forgettingif,rememberyes
intimeofallsweetthingsbeyond
whatevermindmaycomprehend,
rememberseek(forgettingfind)
andinamysterytobe
(whentimefromtimeshallsetusfree)
forgettingme,rememberme
it is at moments after I have dreamed
itisatmomentsafterihavedreamed
oftherareentertainmentofyoureyes,
when(beingfooltofancy)ihavedeemed
withyourpeculiarmouthmyheartmadewise;
atmomentswhentheglassydarknessholds
thegenuineapparitionofyoursmile
(itwasthroughtearsalways)andsilencemoulds
suchstrangenessaswasminealittlewhile;
momentswhenmyoncemoreillustriousarms
arefilledwithfascination,whenmybreast
wearstheintolerantbrightnessofyourcharms:
onepiercedmomentwhiterthantherest
-turningfromthetremendouslieofsleep
iwatchtherosesofthedaygrowdeep.
it may not always be so
itmaynotalwaysbeso;andisay
thatifyourlips,whichihaveloved,shouldtouch
another's,andyourdearstrongfingersclutch
hisheart,asmineintimenotfaraway;
ifonanother'sfaceyoursweethairlay
insuchasilenceasiknow,orsuch
greatwrithingwordsas,utteringovermuch,
standhelplesslybeforethespiritatbay;
ifthisshouldbe,isayifthisshouldbe--
youofmyheart,sendmealittleword;
thatimaygountohim,andtakehishands,
saying,Acceptallhappinessfromme.
Thenshalliturnmyface,andhearonebird
singterriblyafarinthelostlands.
l(a
l(a
le
af
fa
ll
s)
one
l
iness
maggie and milly and molly and may
maggieandmillyandmollyandmay
wentdowntothebeach(toplayoneday)
andmaggiediscoveredashellthatsang
sosweetlyshecouldntrememberhertroubles,and
millybefriendedastrandedstar
whoseraysfivelanguidfingerswere;
andmollywaschasedbyahorriblething
whichracedsidewayswhileblowingbubbles:and
maycamehomewithasmoothroundstone
assmallasaworldandaslargeasalone.
Forwhateverwelose(likeayouorame)
itsalwaysourselveswefindinthesea
may i feel said he
mayifeelsaidhe
(i'llsquealsaidshe
justoncesaidhe)
it'sfunsaidshe
(mayitouchsaidhe
howmuchsaidshe
alotsaidhe)
whynotsaidshe
(let'sgosaidhe
nottoofarsaidshe
what'stoofarsaidhe
whereyouaresaidshe)
mayistaysaidhe
whichwaysaidshe
likethissaidhe
ifyoukisssaidshe
mayimovesaidhe
isitlovesaidshe)
ifyou'rewillingsaidhe
(butyou'rekillingsaidshe
butit'slifesaidhe
butyourwifesaidshe
nowsaidhe)
owsaidshe
(tiptopsaidhe
don'tstopsaidshe
ohnosaidhe)
goslowsaidshe
(cccome?saidhe
ummmsaidshe)
you'redivine!saidhe
(youareMinesaidshe)
my father moved through dooms of love
myfathermovedthroughdoomsoflove
throughsamesofamthroughhavesofgive,
singingeachmorningoutofeachnight
myfathermovedthroughdepthsofheight
thismotionlessforgetfulwhere
turnedathisglancetoshininghere;
thatif(sotimidairisfirm)
underhiseyeswouldstirandsquirm
newlyasfromunburiedwhich
floatsthefirstwho,hisapriltouch
drovesleepingselvestoswarmtheirfates
wokedreamerstotheirghostlyroots
andshouldsomewhycompletelyweep
myfather'sfingersbroughthersleep:
vainlynosmallestvoicemightcry
forhecouldfeelthemountainsgrow.
Liftingthevalleysofthesea
myfathermovedthroughgriefsofjoy;
praisingaforeheadcalledthemoon
singingdesireintobegin
joywashissongandjoysopure
aheartofstarbyhimcouldsteer
andpuresonowandnowsoyes
thewristsoftwilightwouldrejoice
keenasmidsummer'skeenbeyond
conceivingmindofsunwillstand,
sostrictly(overutmosthim
sohugely)stoodmyfather'sdream
hisfleshwasfleshhisbloodwasblood:
nohungrymanbutwishedhimfood;
nocripplewouldn'tcreeponemile
uphilltoonlyseehimsmile.
Scorningthepompofmustandshall
myfathermovedthroughdoomsoffeel;
hisangerwasasrightasrain
hispitywasasgreenasgrain
septemberingarmsofyearextend
lesshumblywealthtofoeandfriend
thanhetofoolishandtowise
offeredimmeasurableis
proudlyand(byoctoberingflame
beckoned)asearthwilldownwardclimb,
sonakedforimmortalwork
hisshouldersmarchedagainstthedark
hissorrowwasastrueasbread:
noliarlookedhiminthehead;
ifeveryfriendbecamehisfoe
he'dlaughandbuildaworldwithsnow.
Myfathermovedthroughtheysofwe,
singingeachnewleafoutofeachtree
(andeverychildwassurethatspring
dancedwhensheheardmyfathersing)
thenletmenkillwhichcannotshare,
letbloodandfleshbemudandmire,
schemingimagine,passionwilled,
freedomadrugthat'sboughtandsold
givingtostealandcruelkind,
ahearttofear,todoubtamind,
todifferadiseaseofsame,
conformthepinnacleofam
thoughdullwereallwetasteasbright,
bitterallutterlythingssweet,
maggotyminusanddumbdeath
allweinherit,allbequeath
andnothingquitesoleastastruth
-isaythoughhatewerewhymenbreathe-
becausemyfatherlivedhissoul
loveisthewholeandmorethanall
my love
mylove
thyhairisonekingdom
thekingwhereofisdarkness
thyforeheadisaflightofflowers
thyheadisaquickforest
filledwithsleepingbirds
thybreastsareswarmsofwhitebees
upontheboughofthybody
thybodytomeisApril
inthosearmpitsistheapproachofspring
thythighsarewhitehorsesyokedtoachariot
ofkings
theyarethestrikingofagoodminstrel
betweenthemisalwaysapleasantsong
mylove
thyheadisacasket
ofthecooljewelofthymind
thehairofthyheadisonewarrior
innocentofdefeat
thyhairuponthyshouldersisanarmy
withvictoryandwithtrumpets
thylegsarethetreesofdreaming
whosefruitistheveryeatageofforgetfulness
thylipsaresatrapsinscarlet
inwhosekissisthecombiningsofkings
thywrists
areholy
whicharethekeepersofthekeysofthyblood
thyfeetuponthyanklesareflowersinvases
ofsilver
inthybeautyisthedilemmaofflutes
thyeyesarethebetrayal
ofbellscomprehendedthroughincense
my sweet old etcetera
mysweetoldetcetera
auntlucyduringtherecent
warcouldandwhat
ismoredidtellyoujust
whateverybodywasfighting
for,
mysister
Isabelcreatedhundreds
(and
hundreds)ofsocksnotto
mentionfleaproofearwarmers
etceterawristersetcetera,my
motherhopedthat
iwoulddieetcetera
bravelyofcoursemyfatherused
tobecomehoarsetalkingabouthowitwas
aprivilegeandifonlyhe
couldmeanwhilemy
selfetceteralayquietly
inthedeepmudet
cetera
(dreaming,
et
cetera,of
Yoursmile
eyeskneesandofyourEtcetera)
next to of course god america i
nexttoofcoursegodamericai
loveyoulandofthepilgrimsandsoforthoh
saycanyouseebythedawnsearlymy
countrytisofcenturiescomeandgo
andarenomorewhatofitweshouldworry
ineverylanguageevendeafanddumb
thysonsacclaimyourgloriousnamebygorry
byjingobygeebygoshbygum
whytalkofbeautywhatcouldbemorebeaut-
ifulthantheseheroichappydead
whorushedlikelionstotheroaringslaughter
theydidnotstoptothinktheydiedinstead
thenshallthevoiceoflibertybemute?
Hespoke.Anddrankrapidlyaglassofwater
nobody loses all the time (X)
nobodylosesallthetime
ihadanunclenamed
Solwhowasabornfailureand
nearlyeverybodysaidheshouldhavegone
intovaudevilleperhapsbecausemyUncleSolcould
singMcCannHeWasADiveronXmasEvelikeHellItselfwhich
mayormaynotaccountforthefactthatmyUncle
Solindulgedinthatpossiblymostinexcusable
ofalltouseahighfalootinphrase
luxuriesthatisorto
witfarmingandbe
itneedlessly
added
myUncleSol'sfarm
failedbecausethechickens
atethevegetablesso
myUncleSolhada
chickenfarmtillthe
skunksatethechickenswhen
myUncleSol
hadaskunkfarmbut
theskunkscaughtcoldand
diedso
myUncleSolimitatedthe
skunksinasubtlemanner
orbydrowninghimselfinthewatertank
butsomebodywho'dgivenmyUndeSolaVictor
Victrolaandrecordswhilehelivedpresentedto
himupontheauspiciousoccasionofhisdeceasea
scrumptiousnottomentionsplendiferousfuneralwith
tallboysinblackglovesandflowersandeverythingand
irememberweallcriedliketheMissouri
whenmyUncleSol'scoffinlurchedbecause
somebodypressedabutton
(anddownwent
myUncle
Sol
andstartedawormfarm)
o sweet spontaneous
osweetspontaneous
earthhowoftenhave
the
doting
fingersof
prurientphilosopherspinched
and
poked
thee
,hasthenaughtythumb
ofscienceprodded
thy
beauty.how
oftenhavereligionstaken
theeupontheirscraggyknees
squeezingand
buffetingtheethatthoumightestconceive
gods
(but
true
totheincomparable
couchofdeaththy
rhythmic
lover
thouanswerest
themonlywith
spring)
of Ever-Ever Land i speak
(ofEver-EverLandispeak
sweetmoronsgatherroun'
whodoesnotdaretostandorsit
maytakeitlyingdown)
downwiththehumansoul
andanythingelseuncanned
foreveryonecarriescanopeners
inEver-EverLand
(forEver-EverLandisaplace
that'sassimpleassimplecanbe
andwasbuiltthatwayonpurpose
bysimplepeoplelikewe)
downwithhellandheaven
andallthereligiousfuss
infinitypleasedourparents
oneinchlooksgoodtous
(andEver-EverLandisaplace
that'smeasuredandsafeandknown
whereit'sluckytobeunlucky
andthehitlerliesdownwiththecohn)
downaboveallwithlove
andeverythingperverse
orwhichmakessomefeelmorebetter
whenalloughttofeellessworse
(butonlysamenessisnormal
inEver-EverLand
forabadcigarisawoman
butaglandisonlyagland)
pity this busy monster, manunkind
pitythisbusymonster,manunkind,
not.Progressisacomfortabledisease:
yourvictim(deathandlifesafelybeyond)
playswiththebignessofhislittleness
---electronsdeifyonerazorblade
intoamountainrange;lensesextend
unwishthroughcurvingwherewhentillunwish
returnsonitsunself.
Aworldofmade
isnotaworldofborn---pitypoorflesh
andtrees,poorstarsandstones,butneverthis
finespecimenofhypermagical
ultraomnipotence.Wedoctorsknow
ahopelesscaseif---listen:there'sahell
ofagooduniversenextdoor;let'sgo
Poem 42
OthI
gcan
urPas
them
SteR
of
tilLnes
since feeling is first
sincefeelingisfirst
whopaysanyattention
tothesyntaxofthings
willneverwhollykissyou;
whollytobeafool
whileSpringisintheworld
mybloodapproves,
andkissesareabetterfate
thanwisdom
ladyiswearbyalltheflowers.Don'tcry
-thebestgestureofmybrainislessthan
youreyelids'flutterwhichsays
weareforeachother:then
laugh,leaningbackinmyarms
forlife'snotaparagraph
anddeathithinkisnoparenthesis
Sometimes I Am Alive Because With
sometimesiamalivebecausewith
meheralerttreelikebodysleeps
whichiwillfeelslowlysharpening
becomingdistinctwithloveslowly,
whoinmyshouldersinkssweetlyteeth
untilweshallattaintheSpringsmelling
intenselargetogethercolouredinstant
themomentpleasantlyfrightful
when,hermouthsuddenlyrising,wholly
beginswithminefiercelytofool
(andfrommythighswhichshrugandpant
amurderingrainleapinglyreachestheupwardsingulardeepestflowerwhichshe
carriesinagestureofherhips)
somewhere i have never travelled
somewhereihavenevertravelled,gladlybeyond
anyexperience,youreyeshavetheirsilence:
inyourmostfrailgesturearethingswhichencloseme,
orwhichicannottouchbecausetheyaretoonear
yourslightestlookeasilywilluncloseme
thoughihaveclosedmyselfasfingers,
youopenalwayspetalbypetalmyselfasSpringopens
(touchingskilfully,mysteriously)herfirstrose
orifyourwishbetocloseme,iand
mylifewillshutverybeautifully,suddenly,
aswhentheheartofthisflowerimagines
thesnowcarefullyeverywheredescending;
nothingwhichwearetoperceiveinthisworldequals
thepowerofyourintensefragility:whosetexture
compelsmewiththecolorofitscountries,
renderingdeathandforeverwitheachbreathing
(idonotknowwhatitisaboutyouthatcloses
andopens;onlysomethinginmeunderstands
thevoiceofyoureyesisdeeperthanallroses)
nobody,noteventherain,hassuchsmallhands
Spring is like a perhaps hand
Springislikeaperhapshand
(whichcomescarefully
outofNowhere)arranging
awindow,intowhichpeoplelook(while
peoplestare
arrangingandchangingplacing
carefullythereastrange
thingandaknownthinghere)and
changingeverythingcarefully
springislikeaperhaps
Handinawindow
(carefullyto
andfromovingNewand
Oldthings,while
peoplestarecarefully
movingaperhaps
fractionofflowerhereplacing
aninchofairthere)and
withoutbreakinganything.
there are so many tictoc...
therearesomanytictoc
clockseverywheretellingpeople
whattoctictimeitisfor
ticticinstancefivetocminutestoc
pastsixtic
Springisnotregulatedanddoes
notgetoutofordernordo
itshandsalittlejerkingmove
overnumbersslowly
wedonot
winditupithasnoweights
springswheelsinsideof
itsslenderselfnoindeeddear
nothingofthekind.
(So,whenkissSpringcomes
we'llkisseachkissotheronkissthekiss
lipsbecauseticclockstocdon'tmake
atocticdifference
tokisskissyouandto
kissme)
this(let's remember)day died again and...
this(let'sremember)daydiedagainand
again;whosegolden,crimsondoomsconceive
anoceaningabyssoforangedream
largerthanskytimesearth:aflamebeyond
soulimmemoriallyforeveringam-
andascollapsingthatgreymindbywave
doomdisappeared,outofperhaps(whoknows?)
eternityfloatedablossoming
(whileanyonemightslowlycounttosoon)
rose-didyouseeher?darling,didyou(kiss
me)quicklycounttonever?youwerewrong
-thenallthewayfromperfectnowherecame
(aseasilyasweforgetsomething)
livingesttheimaginablemoon
what if a much of a which of a wind
whatifamuchofawhichofawind
givesthetruthtosummer'slie;
bloodieswithdizzyingleavesthesun
andyanksimmortalstarsawry?
Blowkingtobeggarandqueentoseem
(blowfriendtofiend:blowspacetotime)
-whenskiesarehangedandoceansdrowned,
thesinglesecretwillstillbeman
whatifakeenofaleanwindflays
screaminghillswithsleetandsnow:
stranglesvalleysbyropesofthing
andstiflesforestsinwhiteago?
Blowhopetoterror;blowseeingtoblind
(blowpitytoenvyandsoultomind)
-whoseheartsaremountains,rootsaretrees,
it'stheyshallcryhellotothespring
whatifadawnofadoomofadream
bitesthisuniverseintwo,
peelsforeveroutofhisgrave
andsprinklesnowherewithmeandyou?
Blowsoontoneverandnevertotwice
(blowlifetoisn't:blowdeathtowas)
-allnothing'sonlyourhugesthome;
themostwhodie,themorewelive
when serpents bargain
whenserpentsbargainfortherighttosquirm
andthesunstrikestogainalivingwage-
whenthornsregardtheirroseswithalarm
andrainbowsareinsuredagainstoldage
wheneverythrushmaysingnonewmoonin
ifallscreech-owlshavenotokayedhisvoice
-andanywavesignsonthedottedline
orelseanoceaniscompelledtoclose
whentheoakbegspermissionofthebirch
tomakeanacorn-valleysaccusetheir
mountainsofhavingaltitude-andmarch
denouncesaprilasasaboteur
thenwe'llbelieveinthatincredible
unanimalmankind(andnotuntil)
Where's Madge then,
Where'sMadgethen,
Madgeandhermen?
buriedwith
Aliceinherhair,
(butifyouasktherain
he'llnottellwhere.)
beautymakesterms
withtimeandhisworms,
whenloveliness
sayssweetlyYes
towindandcold;
andhowmuchearth
isMadgeworth?
Inquireoftheflowerthatswaysintheautumn
shewillneverguess.
butiknow
myheartfelldeadbefore.
ygUDuh
ygUDuh
ydoan
yunnuhstan
ydoano
yunnuhstanddem
yguduhged
yunnuhstandemdoidee
yguduhgedriduh
ydoanonudn
LISNbudLISN
dem
gud
am
lidlyelluhbas
tudsweergoin
duhSIVILEYEzum
Young Woman of Cambridge,
"Gay"isthecaptivatingcognomenofaYoungWomanofcambridge,
mass.
towhomnobodyseemstohavementionedyeoldefreudianwish;
whenicontemplateheruneyessafelyensconcedinthickglass
youtryifweareagentlemannottothinkof(sh)
theworldrenownedinvestigatorofpapersailors--argonautaargo
harmoniouslybeingwithhisprobablymostbrilliantpupilmated,
letusnotdeemitmiraculousiftheir(sotospeak)offspringhasthatlargo
appearanceofsomebodywhowashectocotyliferouslypropagated
whenMissGtouchedn.y.ourskeletonsteppedfromhiscupboard
gallantlyofferingtodemonstratethebiggestbestbusiestcity
andpresentlyfoundhimselfrattlingforthatwellknownsuburb
thebronx(enliveninganotherwisedeadsilencewithharmlessquips,out
ofBriggsbyKitty)
arrivinginanexhaustedcondition,ipurchasedtwobagsoflukewarm
peanuts
withthedimewhichhermamahadgenerouslyprovided(despitecourte-
ousprotestations)
andofferingMissGayone(whichshepolitelyrefused)setoutgailyfor
thehyenas
suppressingmyfrankqualmsindeferencetohernotinobviousperturba-
tions
unhappily,thedenizensofthezoowerethatdayinclinedtobeuncouthly
erotic
moreparticularlytheprimates--fromwhichwithdignitysquarefeet
turnedabruptlyMissGayaway:
"onthewhole"(ifyouwillpermitametaphorsavouringslightlyofthe
demotic)
MissGayhadnothingtosaytotheanimalsandtheanimalshadnothing
tosaytoMissGay
duringourreturnvoyage,mypensivecompaniondimlyremarltedsome-
thingabout"stuffed
fauna"being"veryinteresting"...wealsodiscussedthepossibilityof
rain...
EdistantproximitytoaY.W.c.a.shesuddenlyluffed
--thankingme;and(statingthatshehopedwemight"meetagain
sometime")vanished,gunwaleawash.Ithereuponloosenedmycollar
anddoveforthenearestl;surreptitiouslycogitating
thedictumofanewenglandsculptor(welloninlife)rethehelenmoller
dancers,whomheconsidered"elevating--thatis,ifdancingCANbeele-
vating"
Miss(believeitor)GayisacertainYoungWomanunacquaintedwiththe
libido
andpursuingacourseofinstructionatradcliffecollege,cambridge,mass.
itryifyouareagentlemannottosensesomethingunpocoputrido
whenwecontemplateheruneyessafelyensconcedinthickglass

Poetry - EE Cummings

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Poetry - EE Cummings

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Classic Poetry Series

Edward Estlin Cummings

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