'somewhere i have never travelled... (LVII)' by e.e. cummings


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somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
any experience, your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too nearyour slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully, misteriously) her first roseor if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;nothing we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility: whose texture
compels me with the colour of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

Editor 1 Interpretation

Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII) by E.E. Cummings: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you ready to dive into the magical world of poetry? Then buckle up, because "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" by E.E. Cummings is a wild ride full of mysterious imagery, evocative language, and enigmatic emotions.

The Poem: An Overview

Before we delve deeper into the poem, let's first take a look at its structure and form. "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" follows a free-verse form, without any rhyme scheme or meter. However, what sets this poem apart from other free-verse poems is its unique use of punctuation and syntax.

Cummings was known for his unconventional style, which often included breaking the rules of grammar and syntax to create a more fluid and musical rhythm. In this poem, he uses punctuation sparingly, creating long, winding sentences that seem to flow endlessly into each other. This creates a sense of ambiguity and fluidity, as if the poem is a stream-of-consciousness meditation on the speaker's thoughts and feelings.

The Imagery: A Garden of Sensations

One of the most striking features of "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" is its vivid and sensual imagery. Throughout the poem, Cummings uses a variety of metaphors and similes to describe the speaker's feelings towards their lover.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the lover's eyes as "a rose's fragility / tracing [...] the faintest green" (lines 1-2). This comparison between the fragility of a rose and the delicate beauty of the lover's eyes sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in awe of their lover's beauty, but also aware of their vulnerability and fragility.

As the poem continues, the imagery becomes more and more abstract and surreal. The speaker compares their lover's touch to "the secret moon / trembling in the lilacs" (lines 8-9), evoking a sense of mystery and enchantment. The use of the word "secret" creates a feeling of intimacy and closeness, as if the speaker is sharing a private moment with their lover.

Later in the poem, the imagery becomes even more surreal, with the speaker describing their lover's "voice, / which I cannot touch because it is too close" (lines 11-12). This paradoxical statement creates a sense of longing and desire, as if the speaker is unable to fully grasp their lover's essence.

The Emotions: Love, Longing, and Surrender

At its core, "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" is a poem about love and surrender. The speaker is deeply in love with their lover, but also aware of the power dynamics at play. Throughout the poem, the speaker surrenders themselves to their lover's beauty and presence, acknowledging their own vulnerability in the face of such intense emotion.

One of the most powerful lines in the poem is "i am yours, / darling, you are mine" (lines 15-16). This simple statement encapsulates the complex emotions at play in the poem. The speaker is both giving themselves completely to their lover, and acknowledging that the lover belongs to them as well. The use of the word "darling" creates a sense of tenderness and intimacy, while the repetition of "mine" and "yours" creates a feeling of possession and ownership.

Throughout the poem, the speaker is in a state of longing and desire. They want to be close to their lover, to touch them, to understand them fully. However, there is also a sense of distance and separation between the two, as if they are always just out of reach.

The Interpretation: Surrealism and the Unconscious Mind

So, what does all of this surreal imagery and intense emotion mean? One way to interpret "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" is through the lens of surrealism.

Surrealism was an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its use of dreamlike imagery and exploration of the unconscious mind. Cummings was heavily influenced by surrealism, and many of his poems feature surreal and fantastical elements.

In "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)", the speaker's surreal imagery and disjointed syntax can be seen as a reflection of the unconscious mind. The poem is full of contradictory statements and paradoxical imagery, suggesting a sense of confusion and uncertainty.

At the same time, the poem is deeply emotional and evocative, suggesting a sense of raw, unfiltered feeling. The speaker is in a state of surrender, allowing themselves to be consumed by their emotions and desires.

Conclusion: An Enigmatic Masterpiece

"Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, full of evocative imagery, intense emotion, and enigmatic meaning. Cummings' use of unconventional syntax and surreal imagery creates a sense of ambiguity and fluidity, allowing the reader to lose themselves in the speaker's thoughts and feelings.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on love and surrender, exploring the complex dynamics between two people in a state of intense emotion. However, the poem's surreal imagery and unconventional structure suggest a deeper exploration of the unconscious mind and the mysteries of the human psyche.

Whether you're a fan of poetry or just looking for a wild ride through the imagination, "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII)" is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of language and the human heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Somewhere I have never travelled... (LVII) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and the depth of emotions it evokes. This poem is a perfect example of how cummings' unconventional use of language and syntax can create a powerful and moving piece of literature. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a place that they have never traveled to before. The use of the word "somewhere" creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as if the speaker is describing a place that is both real and imaginary. The first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker's description of this unknown place is filled with wonder and awe.

The second line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "secret" relationship with someone. This relationship is described as being "your (my) deepest secret," which suggests that it is something that is hidden and private. The use of parentheses around "my" emphasizes the intimacy of this relationship, as if the speaker is whispering it to themselves.

The third line of the poem introduces the central metaphor of the poem, which is the idea of the speaker being "your (my) rose." This metaphor is used throughout the poem to describe the speaker's relationship with the person they are addressing. The use of the word "rose" creates a sense of beauty and fragility, as if the speaker is describing something that is both delicate and precious.

The fourth line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "fearful symmetry." This phrase is a reference to William Blake's poem "The Tyger," which explores the idea of the duality of nature. In this context, the phrase suggests that the speaker's relationship with the person they are addressing is both beautiful and dangerous, as if it has the potential to be both wonderful and destructive.

The fifth line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "voice" being "the voice of your (my) eyes." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's words are a reflection of the person they are addressing, as if they are speaking through their eyes. The use of the word "voice" creates a sense of intimacy and connection, as if the speaker is trying to communicate with the person they are addressing on a deeper level.

The sixth line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "silence" being "the silence of your (my) eyes." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's silence is a reflection of the person they are addressing, as if they are communicating through their eyes. The use of the word "silence" creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as if the speaker is trying to convey something that cannot be expressed through words.

The seventh line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "gesture" being "the gesture of your (my) hands." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's actions are a reflection of the person they are addressing, as if they are moving through their hands. The use of the word "gesture" creates a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the speaker is trying to convey something that is both physical and emotional.

The eighth line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "lips" being "the lips of your (my) desire." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's words are a reflection of the person they are addressing, as if they are speaking through their desires. The use of the word "lips" creates a sense of sensuality and intimacy, as if the speaker is trying to convey something that is both physical and emotional.

The ninth line of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's "touch" being "the touch of your (my) touch." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's actions are a reflection of the person they are addressing, as if they are touching through their touch. The use of the word "touch" creates a sense of physicality and intimacy, as if the speaker is trying to convey something that is both tangible and emotional.

The final line of the poem brings all of these metaphors together, as the speaker describes their relationship with the person they are addressing as being "whatever a sun will always sing is you (me)." This line suggests that the speaker's relationship with the person they are addressing is both eternal and transcendent, as if it is something that will always exist and cannot be contained by words.

In conclusion, Somewhere I have never travelled... (LVII) by e.e. cummings is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, intimacy, and the duality of nature. The use of unconventional language and syntax creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as if the speaker is trying to convey something that cannot be expressed through words. The central metaphor of the poem, the idea of the speaker being "your (my) rose," creates a sense of beauty and fragility, as if the speaker is describing something that is both delicate and precious. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of language and the human experience, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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