The poem
now does our world descend
now does our world descend the path to nothingness (cruel now cancels kind; friends turn to enemies) therefore lament,my dream and don a doer's doom
create is now contrive; imagined,merely know (freedom:what makes a slave) therefore,my life,lie down and more by most endure all that you never were
hide,poor dishonoured mind who thought yourself so wise; and much could understand concerning no and yes: if they've become the same it's time you unbecame
where climbing was and bright is darkness and to fall (now wrong's the only right since brave are cowards all) therefore despair,my heart and die into the dirt
but from this endless end of briefer each our bliss-- where seeing eyes go blind (where lips forget to kiss) where everything's nothing --arise,my soul;and sing
The poem is in my opinion about war. It has touched me deeply, and I carry it with me all the time because it's one of my favorites. I have to do a research paper on E. E. Cummings, and I am including this poem in the analysis.
I can't see how only one person has commented on this. Others had to have read it! I've only just begun researching ee cummings but from the others I've read, I must say, this one is the best. And I agree with you, Yana, it is about war. (There was one going on during his lifetime, though I forget which one. ^^; ) I think this poem is simply wonderful because of the clear image it gives you- it leaves you with a…
Read the whole commentI can't see how only one person has commented on this. Others had to have read it! I've only just begun researching ee cummings but from the others I've read, I must say, this one is the best. And I agree with you, Yana, it is about war. (There was one going on during his lifetime, though I forget which one. ^^; )
I think this poem is simply wonderful because of the clear image it gives you- it leaves you with a sense of the true underside of war and life in general.
"friends turn to enemies" is a line I really love because I interpret it two ways and I think both can apply to life. In one apsect, friends can turn to former enemies to reconcile or help each other and on the other hand, friends of one person can turn into thier enemies at the drop of a dime.
I guess having a clear image that still leaves room for interpretation is the main reason I love cummings' work so much. :)
there was a war going on during e.e.cumming's day. both world wars if i remember correctly. he was actually in world war one as an ambulance driver and was captured wtih a friend of his. his dad was notified about his son's capture and told that they would rescue cummings but not his friend whom they thought was of a suspicious nature but his dad told them they would rescue both men or none at all. i have no idea if…
Read the whole commentthere was a war going on during e.e.cumming's day. both world wars if i remember correctly. he was actually in world war one as an ambulance driver and was captured wtih a friend of his. his dad was notified about his son's capture and told that they would rescue cummings but not his friend whom they thought was of a suspicious nature but his dad told them they would rescue both men or none at all. i have no idea if this is any basis for this poem but, keep in mind, after he was out of the war he wrote The Enormous Room which described his experience. maybe this is how his soul arose or something. i dont know. it's all up to who is reading it. but thought i would put some background info on here for anyone who was interested.
e.e. cummings is a genius..brilliant. he is able to defamiliarize language yet have his poems radiate emotion and imagery.
now does our world descend shows ee cummins true gift for poetry, not only does this poem make my heart ache, but in a way it is so inspiring, it makes me want to change the world
what i notice here in his poems in general is the eccentric sturcture,broken rules,visual style.he doesn't care of the punctuation and capitalization of the first letters in the beginning of the lines.
he was lived in the WW1 and he sees the destruction of the human values.
also his tone is sarcastic.
i have alot to say but the time is short
now does our world descend