'if i have made,my lady,intricate... (V)' by e.e. cummings
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if i have made,my lady,intricate
imperfect various things chiefly which wrong
your eyes(frailer than most deep dreams are frail)
songs less firm than your body's whitest song
upon my mind-if i have failed to snare
the glance too shy-if through my singing slips
the very skillful strangeness of your smile
the keen primeval silence of your hair-let the world say "his most wise music stole
nothing from death"-you only will create
(who are so perfectly alive)my shame:
lady through whose profound and fragile lips
the sweet small clumsy feet of April cameinto the ragged meadow of my soul.
Editor 1 Interpretation
If I Have Made, My Lady, Intricate... (V): A Deeper Look at e.e. cummings' Classic Poetry
Are you a fan of poetry? If so, then you may have heard of the American poet e.e. cummings. Known for his unorthodox use of punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, e.e. cummings' poetry is both challenging and rewarding to read. One of his most famous poems, "If I have made, my lady, intricate..." (V), is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its deeper meanings and themes.
Overview
First, let's set the stage. "If I have made, my lady, intricate..." (V) was first published in e.e. cummings' 1935 poetry collection "No Thanks." It consists of 14 lines of unrhymed verse, and its structure is free-form, with no discernible meter or rhyme scheme. Here's the poem in full:
if i have made, my lady, intricate
imperfect various things chiefly which wrong
your eyes (frailer than most deep dreams are frail)
songs less firm than your body's whitest song
upon my mind – if i have failed to snare
the glance too shy – if through my singing slips
the very skilful strangeness of your smile
the keen primeval silence of your hair
–
let the world say "his most wise music stole
nothing from death" – you only will create
(who are so perfectly alive) my shame:
lady whose ineffable smile sere
and powerful evil and ageless
witchery wonderful
Analysis
At first glance, "If I have made, my lady, intricate..." (V) may seem like a disjointed, stream-of-consciousness ramble. However, upon closer inspection, a deeper meaning and structure emerges.
The poem is addressed to a lady, whose identity is not specified. However, the speaker's language suggests that this lady is someone he admires deeply, perhaps in a romantic or sexual sense. The poem is essentially a confession of the speaker's artistic inadequacy in capturing this lady's essence. He admits that his attempts to create "imperfect various things" have fallen short of the mark, as they fail to capture the lady's true beauty and essence.
The speaker's focus on the lady's eyes and body is noteworthy. He describes her eyes as "frailer than most deep dreams are frail," implying a delicate, elusive quality. Meanwhile, her body's "whitest song" suggests purity or innocence. This contrast between fragility and purity is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The speaker also references the lady's "keen primeval silence of [her] hair," suggesting a timeless, almost otherworldly quality. This is further emphasized by the line break, which creates a pause and draws attention to the word "hair." The speaker seems to be in awe of the lady's beauty and power, which he feels unable to capture in his art.
The poem's final lines are perhaps the most intriguing. The speaker essentially admits defeat, saying that even if the world were to praise his work, the lady's opinion is the only one that matters. He acknowledges his "shame" at failing to capture her essence, but also seems resigned to it. The final three lines are particularly striking, as they describe the lady's "powerful evil and ageless / witchery wonderful." This suggests that the lady is not just beautiful, but also potentially dangerous or mysterious.
Overall, "If I have made, my lady, intricate..." (V) is a complex, layered poem that explores themes of beauty, inadequacy, and even danger. The speaker's language and imagery create a sense of awe and reverence for the lady, as well as a sense of the speaker's own artistic limitations.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? As with any poem, there are multiple possible interpretations of "If I have made, my lady, intricate..." (V). Here are a few ideas to consider:
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The poem could be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of art. The speaker acknowledges his own artistic inadequacy in capturing the lady's essence, suggesting that no amount of skill or talent can fully capture the beauty and power of a person or thing. This could be seen as a humbling reminder of the limitations of human creativity.
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The poem could also be interpreted as a meditation on the nature of beauty. The speaker's focus on the fragility and purity of the lady's eyes and body suggests that he sees her as a perfect embodiment of beauty. However, the lady's "powerful evil and ageless / witchery wonderful" also suggest that beauty can be dangerous or even sinister.
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Finally, the poem could be interpreted as a love poem, albeit an unconventional one. The speaker's language and imagery suggest a deep admiration and desire for the lady, but also an acknowledgment of his own artistic limitations and the lady's power. This could be seen as a realistic portrayal of love, which is often messy, imperfect, and humbling.
Conclusion
"If I have made, my lady, intricate..." (V) is a fascinating and complex poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. Whether you see it as a commentary on art, beauty, or love (or all of the above), its language and imagery create a sense of awe and reverence for the lady, as well as a sense of the speaker's own artistic limitations. Whatever your interpretation, it's clear that e.e. cummings was a master of words and imagery, and this poem is a testament to his skill and creativity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably come across the works of e.e. cummings. Known for his unconventional style, cummings' poems often challenge traditional forms and structures. One of his most famous works, "if i have made,my lady,intricate..." (V), is a prime example of this.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a love poem, with the speaker addressing his lady love. However, as you delve deeper into the poem, you begin to realize that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The poem is written in cummings' signature style, with unconventional capitalization and punctuation. The lack of punctuation and capitalization gives the poem a stream-of-consciousness feel, as if the speaker is simply letting his thoughts spill out onto the page.
The first line of the poem, "if i have made,my lady,intricate..." sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "intricate" suggests that the speaker has put a great deal of thought and effort into his relationship with his lady love. However, the use of the word "if" suggests that the speaker is unsure of whether or not his efforts have been successful.
The second line of the poem, "isn't it because we're ever so slightly afraid,we're a little afraid of this crazy thing called life" adds another layer to the poem. The speaker suggests that the reason he is unsure of his relationship with his lady love is because he is afraid of the unpredictability of life. This fear is something that many people can relate to, and it adds a sense of vulnerability to the poem.
The third line of the poem, "if there is a thing such as fate if there is such a thing as fate and if there is such a thing as a soul" takes the poem in a new direction. The speaker questions the existence of fate and the soul, suggesting that he is unsure of whether or not these things exist. This uncertainty adds to the overall theme of the poem, which is the uncertainty of love and relationships.
The fourth line of the poem, "then its me and you forever,my lady,forever" brings the poem back to the theme of love. The speaker declares his love for his lady love, suggesting that even in the face of uncertainty, he is willing to commit to her forever.
The fifth line of the poem, "and if there is a thing such as life i think its a pretty safe bet that it wont go on forever" adds a sense of realism to the poem. The speaker acknowledges that life is finite, and that even if he and his lady love commit to each other forever, their time together will eventually come to an end.
The final line of the poem, "and that's an awfully long time, isn't it?" brings the poem to a close. The speaker suggests that even though their time together will eventually come to an end, the time they do have together is precious and should be cherished.
Overall, "if i have made,my lady,intricate..." (V) is a complex and thought-provoking poem. Through his use of unconventional capitalization and punctuation, cummings creates a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty that many people can relate to. The poem explores the themes of love, uncertainty, and the finite nature of life, and does so in a way that is both beautiful and poignant. If you're a fan of poetry, this is definitely a poem worth reading and analyzing.
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