in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me

Analysis, meaning and summary of e.e. cummings's poem in time of daffodils

12 Comments

  1. Niedja says:

    Some time ago I thought this põem was not about human being phases , Now I changed my mind… it os clearly written.The meaning is there, beautifully desceibed, without any metaphore .

  2. erfmd says:

    the flowers – the most beautiful and the most instinctual of “beings” – “know” that the purpose of life is to grow (not why but how) to be (not seeming but is) to live (not toward a goal but to be) and that the “I” will become both irrelevant and completely relevant at the same time.

  3. Ioanna says:

    “the goal of living is to grow”, when done living, when done growing- when ready for Him and His coming

    this poem reminds me of Isaiah 40:
    6b All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
    7 The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
    8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

  4. shelley says:

    to me, this poem is giving life lessons. the first one that the daffodil gives is to grow. he doesn’t mean grow up or grow taller, he means to grow emotionally. To learn, to grow in who we are so we can become the best person we can be. to be beautiful, like flowers! :]

  5. Mary Weddig says:

    This poem is put to song by Chantaclear and is an astounding piece of music and performance. I think e.e. is telling us what is important to focus on while we live, and that at time of death when time “from time will shall set us free” we will face the mystery of beyond. We hope we will be remembered, but think of it, most of us will be forgotten. Fans of e.e. find the Chanteclear recording, you will not be disappointed.

  6. Riley says:

    This poem is a reminder of the “simple things” in life- for finding humbleness, regardless of your place or time in society. The daffodils, while being simple, remember how to grow, as do the most valued flowers.

  7. Lyman says:

    I read this in high school as required reading by my English teacher. I had no idea what it meant. Now I choose to believe it refers to the ineffable something I choose to call God. Finding a God is not as important as seeking it, because it can never be found, much less understood. by a mere human. But if we are looking for it, we can experience it in the beauty all around us.

  8. Kristie says:

    this poem is amazing. it was so moving when it was read at a funeral i went to.

  9. liana pehrsson-berindei says:

    Again a strong affirmative statement on life.
    It is the journey through life, the old romantic theme of the “quest”, the “seek” that is important.

    The journey through life should make one grow, and even death can be vanquished through remembrance.

    It is e.e.cummings all time favorite theme “yes to life”

  10. Lorraina says:

    this poem is more than beauty. It represents how people sometimes forget how to live life, but flowers don’t. they are always beautiful. People shouldn’t always think of why to live but should just relize that they know how and so should just do it. “in time of daffodils (who know the goal of lining is to grow) forgetting why, remember how

  11. Kristina T. says:

    This poem was the first that I ever read of E. E. Cummings. This poem is so beautiful and gives hope comfort and reassurance that even when we force ourselves to move on from the important parts of our lives, that we still hold onto them in our memory. These moments and people we leave behind have become a part of us, they have changed us and we forever be a part of our lives, even though we forget or have to leave them behind. E. E. Cummings is DA BOMB!

  12. Natalia Rogalski says:

    Try also the Polish translation by Stanislaw Baranczak, put to music and sung by Grzegorz Turnau (album: Pod Swiatlo). Beautiful, even when you don’t understand the language… just listen to the sounds…
    Music & poetry is universal!

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