it is at moments after I have dreamed

it is at moments after i have dreamed
of the rare entertainment of your eyes,
when(being fool to fancy)i have deemed

with your peculiar mouth my heart made wise;
at moments when the glassy darkness holds

the genuine apparition of your smile
(it was through tears always)and silence moulds
such strangeness as was mine a little while;

moments when my once more illustrious arms
are filled with fascination,when my breast
wears the intolerant brightness of your charms:

one pierced moment whiter than the rest

-turning from the tremendous lie of sleep
i watch the roses of the day grow deep.

Analysis, meaning and summary of e.e. cummings's poem it is at moments after I have dreamed

10 Comments

  1. nanette says:

    This poem to me feels like a person in love with someone/fantasy. It is about wanting and loving in a manner that only in the dream it can actually come true.

  2. Purvi says:

    This has been my favorite poem since middle school. I am now a senior graduating from a university and about to read this poem aloud in front of my poetry class today. I am about 10 minutes from where e.e. cummings was born and raised, and have had a particular affinity towards him ever since I read “g-r-a-s-s-h-o-p-p-e-r” which was introduced to me by my 8th grade English teacher. This poem, to me, is by far his sweetest, most love-filled and meaningful poem. Although not as abstract as his others, this poem is vivid in imagery and, like Frost, makes “sense sounds” that make it sound lyric and song-like.

  3. Shaluu says:

    E.E., when you wrote this, did you read me?

    These words I’ve used to start my blog.

  4. Sally says:

    So what is this poem? Is it happy, is it sad? I haven’t gotten it yet, and would really like to!

  5. Makia says:

    I’ve read this poem many times, and every time I read it, I struggle with deciding if it is a sad or a happy poem.

  6. Catherine says:

    This is one of the most exquisite sonnets I have ever read. I know it by heart. It is just beautiful, and so sweetly melancholy.

  7. Steve says:

    Listen to this poem as muscially adapted by John Cage and you will hear true understanding.

  8. Hatsumiyo-chan says:

    it took me a while to understnad this poem, but when it did, i just suddenly got it! it finally appreciated thsi poem. he probably DID have strange dreams, but that’s what made him a great poet! -_^

  9. felicity says:

    I bet e.e cummings had really strange dreams. if i could go anywhere, it would be e.e cumming’s dreams.

  10. Kelli says:

    I love this poem so much. After reading in through several times, I now understand the greatness of this deep poem.

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