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
*
*
Tolley's Topics 
This poem is so profoundly simple! I adore the poem. You humble me! Honestly Sheila, every day I worry that I will have nothing to write about. But then the mad chatter in my brain begins to spin webs, spinning words into wisdom. I just wrote that, by the way. I am like that bag from American Beauty, just floating, aimlessly. Seriously, I am honored that you would post this for me. You are the best! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Jessica
Jessica…It is my belief, (only to be changed by Jesus himself if he knocks on my door to come to supper with me..and he knows how terrible I cook) that no scientist will ever duplicate the human brain. They can play as long as they like….and ROBOT as smart as they may….but they will never out perform the Human Brain that God designed. Think about it….we got it all…a human made the robots. If people do not believe that Jesus had a sense of humor…they have not looked closely at a pekinese. We are only a basic video game to God….Like Pacman….gobble, gobble…You keep listening to your brain chatter my dear and continue to publish it. BUT if CNN knocks on your door…call 911. Bye now!
I think that he is saying many different things here. This poem is so profound. Most people would probably throw this poem on the ground and run away with abundant fear. They wouldn’t understand what he is trying to say. They, being, the teachers. And the We, I believe he is referring to are the people who see things as they are. Other’s are the people who can’t see beyond the end of their noses. The people who are the most unique, are often overlooked. The most profound, thoughtful, mindful, humane human beings are the WE, he is referring to. You and I are part of the WE. THEY, will never understand what the, WE are talking about, but that’s okay. The unique are humble people, who don’t require much patting on the back. We are also acutely aware that we know a lot more than we say. Nobody likes a bragger. Those are my thoughts about the poem, and I love each and every word. I will admit that it took me a while to get through to the meaning. I also know that this is merely my interpretation of this poem. I want to thank you, Shiela, for making me think about things on a deeper level. I don’t like shallow minds. This was definitely a challenge and I am thankful that you gave this one to me. Please let me know what you think about all this. Jessica
I knew you as a deep thinker when I first visited Mad Chatter. Some people say, your face would stop a clock…others say when I look at you time stands still…..it means the opposite, yet the same. That is how life is too me now. Insignificant, yet important. It just depends on our audience, doesn’t it? Have you ever read Oscar Wilde quotes….google them, he has some great ones. He said, “The only difference between a Saint and a Sinner is that A Saint has a past and a Sinner has a future.” I love his quotes. After all, Jessica, if we were supposed to take life seriously…doctors would not call the same little spots Fever Blisters and Cold Sores. LOL
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.