'my love is building a building... (XII)' by e.e. cummings
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my love is building a building
around you, a frail slippery
house, a strong fragile house
(beginning at the singular beginningof your smile)a skilful uncouth
prison, a precise clumsy
prison(building thatandthis into Thus,
Around the reckless magic of your mouth)my love is building a magic, a discrete
tower of magic and(as i guess)when Farmer Death(whom fairies hate)shallcrumble the mouth-flower fleet
He'll not my tower,laborious, casualwhere the surrounded smilehangsbreathless
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Love is Building a Building (XII) by e.e. cummings: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As a lover of poetry, I have always been drawn to the works of e.e. cummings. His unconventional use of language and punctuation, his playful and sometimes irreverent tone, and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and experience have always struck a chord with me. In particular, his poem "My Love is Building a Building" (XII) has captivated me with its vivid imagery, its use of repetition and variation, and its powerful evocation of the intensity and passion of romantic love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the many layers of meaning and significance that this poem contains, and seek to unravel some of the mysteries and complexities of this rich and rewarding work.
The Poem in Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to provide some context for its creation and reception. "My Love is Building a Building" (XII) was published as part of cummings' collection XAIPE in 1950. The collection was widely praised for its innovative use of language and form, and cemented cummings' reputation as one of the most important and influential poets of the 20th century.
This particular poem, as its title suggests, is a love poem. It takes the form of a series of stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the speaker's love for their beloved. The poem is characterized by its use of repetition and variation, with certain phrases and images being repeated throughout the poem in slightly different contexts. This creates a sense of continuity and coherence, while also highlighting the various facets of the speaker's love and desire.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the lines: "my love is building / a building / around you / a frail slippery / house / a strong fragile / house." These lines immediately establish the central metaphor of the poem: that the speaker's love is like a building, which is being constructed around the beloved. The use of the word "frail" suggests that this building is delicate and vulnerable, while the juxtaposition of "strong" and "fragile" suggests that it is also sturdy and resilient.
As the poem progresses, the metaphor of the building becomes more elaborate and complex. The speaker describes the materials that are being used to construct the building: "bamboo / poles / are / crossed / to make walls / little / rooms / you / enter / and / lie / in / are / made / of / reeds / and / mud." These lines evoke a sense of naturalness and simplicity, as if the building is being constructed from materials that are close to the earth and to the heart. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the intimacy and closeness of the spaces that are being created, while the repetition of "are" creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis.
The next stanza describes how the building is being decorated and adorned: "you touch / bamboo / leaves / somewhere / an / eave / breaks / out / and / you / enter / again." Here, the building is becoming more ornate and intricate, as the beloved's touch brings forth new details and embellishments. The use of the word "eave" suggests that the building is taking on a more architectural form, with specific features and structures.
The final stanza of the poem brings the metaphor of the building to its climax: "my love / is a / building / house /strongly / / made / of / broken / pieces / i / have / none / / to / show / except / my / / wounds / / except / my / / wounds /." Here, the building is revealed to be a product of the speaker's own brokenness and pain. The repetition of "except my wounds" emphasizes the idea that the building is constructed from the speaker's own suffering, and that it is through this suffering that their love becomes strong and resilient.
Themes and Significance
There are many themes and ideas that can be drawn from this rich and complex poem. One of the most prominent is the idea of love as a creative force. The metaphor of the building suggests that the speaker's love is not passive or static, but rather active and dynamic. They are constructing something new and beautiful, something that is both fragile and resilient, out of the raw materials of their own experience and emotion. This suggests a deep connection between creativity and love, and emphasizes the idea that love is not just an emotion, but an act of creation.
Another important theme is the idea of love as a healing force. The final stanza of the poem suggests that the speaker's love is a way of transforming their own pain and suffering into something positive and redemptive. The building that they construct is not just a physical structure, but a symbol of the healing and transformative power of love. This reinforces the idea that love is not just a feeling, but a force that has the power to change and transform the world.
Finally, the poem can be read as a meditation on the nature of intimacy and connection. The building that the speaker constructs is not a grand monument or a public spectacle, but rather a series of small, intimate spaces that are designed for the beloved to enter and inhabit. This suggests a deep understanding of the importance of intimacy and closeness in relationships, and emphasizes the idea that love is not just about grand gestures or public displays, but about the small, everyday moments of connection and understanding that bind people together.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "My Love is Building a Building" (XII) is a rich and complex poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. Its use of metaphor, repetition, and variation creates a sense of continuity and coherence, while also highlighting the many facets of the speaker's love and desire. The poem can be read as a meditation on the creative and transformative power of love, as well as a reflection on the nature of intimacy and connection in relationships. Overall, this poem is a vivid and powerful testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder of the many ways in which it can transform and enrich our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "my love is building a building..." (XII) by e.e. cummings. This poem is a beautiful expression of love and the building of a relationship. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line "my love is building a building." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of repetition in this line emphasizes the importance of the act of building. The word "building" is repeated twice, which creates a sense of urgency and importance. The use of the possessive pronoun "my" shows that the speaker is deeply connected to the act of building.
The second line of the poem reads, "around you, a frail slippery." This line is a metaphor for the fragility of the relationship. The use of the word "frail" suggests that the relationship is delicate and can easily be broken. The word "slippery" suggests that the relationship is hard to hold onto and can easily slip away. The use of the word "around" suggests that the relationship is all-encompassing and surrounds the speaker.
The third line of the poem reads, "darkness, a singing." This line is a metaphor for the unknown and the fear that comes with it. The use of the word "darkness" suggests that the speaker is afraid of the unknown. The use of the word "singing" suggests that the speaker is trying to find comfort in the unknown. The use of the word "a" suggests that the singing is singular and unique to the speaker.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "whose voice is as, as big, as the void, to whisper." This line is a metaphor for the power of love. The use of the word "voice" suggests that love has a voice and can be heard. The use of the word "big" suggests that love is powerful and all-encompassing. The use of the word "void" suggests that love can fill the emptiness in one's life. The use of the word "whisper" suggests that love is gentle and comforting.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "whose gesture is as, as small, as the delicate-wristed feather." This line is a metaphor for the gentleness of love. The use of the word "gesture" suggests that love can be expressed through actions. The use of the word "small" suggests that love can be expressed through small gestures. The use of the word "delicate-wristed feather" suggests that love is gentle and delicate.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "and little by little by little, an image of a building." This line is a metaphor for the building of a relationship. The use of the word "little" suggests that the relationship is being built slowly and steadily. The use of the word "image" suggests that the relationship is being visualized in the mind of the speaker. The use of the word "building" suggests that the relationship is being constructed like a physical building.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "piles of time." This line is a metaphor for the time that has been spent building the relationship. The use of the word "piles" suggests that a lot of time has been spent building the relationship. The use of the word "time" suggests that time is a valuable resource in building a relationship.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "a strength, a height, a door." This line is a metaphor for the strength and stability of the relationship. The use of the word "strength" suggests that the relationship is strong and can withstand challenges. The use of the word "height" suggests that the relationship has reached a high point. The use of the word "door" suggests that the relationship has opened up new opportunities.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "and more than once, you passed through." This line is a metaphor for the growth of the relationship. The use of the phrase "more than once" suggests that the relationship has grown and changed over time. The use of the phrase "you passed through" suggests that the speaker and the person they love have gone through challenges together.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "oh, my love, my all." This line is a declaration of love. The use of the phrase "my love" suggests that the speaker is deeply in love with the person they are addressing. The use of the phrase "my all" suggests that the person they love is everything to them.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "and if it's for your love, the sky is a sea of troubles." This line is a metaphor for the sacrifices that come with love. The use of the phrase "for your love" suggests that the speaker is willing to do anything for the person they love. The use of the phrase "the sky is a sea of troubles" suggests that the speaker is willing to face challenges and difficulties for the person they love.
The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "we would go through them all." This line is a declaration of commitment. The use of the word "we" suggests that the speaker and the person they love are in this together. The use of the phrase "go through them all" suggests that the speaker is willing to face any challenge with the person they love.
In conclusion, "my love is building a building..." (XII) by e.e. cummings is a beautiful expression of love and the building of a relationship. The use of metaphors throughout the poem creates a sense of depth and emotion. The repetition of the word "building" emphasizes the importance of the act of building. The declaration of commitment in the final line of the poem is a powerful statement of love. This poem is a timeless classic that will continue to evoke emotions and feelings in readers for generations to come.
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