I have been following a blog named The Mad Chatter. https://themadchatterdotblog.wordpress.com/ I have really enjoyed her blog site. She is evidently a deep thinker and I believe she will spend at least a few minutes analyzing this poem by e.e. cummings. I first read this poem around 1967 in one of my brother’s college collection of books.
If this poem were tossed out into our new world of RAP with a few “F” words added, it would overtake Michael Jackson’s record with his Thriller soundtrack…..and the famous (My Favorite) Billie Jean…..be damned!
I have never forgotten this poem. I never will. If abstract art were put into words, these would be the lyrics.
-Sheila Tolley-
if everything happens that can’t be done
e.e. cummings
if everything happens that can’t be done
(and anything’s righter
than books
could plan)
the stupidest teacher will almost guess
(with a run
skip
around we go yes)
there’s nothing as something as one
one hasn’t a why or because or although
(and buds know better
than books
don’t grow)
one’s anything old being everything new
(with a what
which
around we come who)
one’s everyanything so
so world is a leaf so a tree is a bough
(and birds sing sweeter
than books
tell how)
so here is away and so your is a my
(with a down
up
around again fly)
forever was never till now
now i love you and you love me
(and books are shuter
than books
can be)
and deep in the high that does nothing but fall
(with a shout
each
around we go all)
there’s somebody calling who’s we
we’re anything brighter than even the sun
(we’re everything greater
than books
might mean)
we’re everyanything more than believe
(with a spin
leap
alive we’re alive)
we’re wonderful one times one
*
*
I love Oscar Wilde. You are so right about life. That’s why I live in the gray area. I don’t take life too seriously or myself. I can laugh and cry at the same time. That’s life, right? I always tell people when they get concerned about the perils of the world… don’t worry, we are all going to die anyway. None of us are getting out of this world alive… so why not laugh through the process? Some people get angry, but that, is also, life. I try to keep quiet if I have nothing nice to say, but my facial expressions always get me into trouble. I took 18th Century English Literature in college, for fun… lol… not basket weaving… although there is nothing wrong with baskets or weaving. I got a B+ in that class, and every other English course I ever took. Always striving for that A… but no, only in Science, math, chemistry. Unreal… those teachers don’t know a good writer when they read one. I went to an elite college. Number one liberal arts college in the west. It wasn’t as good as community college, where I learned from much more humble teachers. Those teachers cared… a lot, and I loved school. Wish I could go back for fun. Wow… sorry so long Sheila. Jessica
College is not a part of my resume…but it sounds like you enjoyed it.