'if there are any heavens my mother... (XLIII)' by e.e. cummings

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if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)have
one. It will not be a pansy heaven nor
a fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley but
it will be a heaven of blackred roses

my father will be(deep like a rose
tall like a rose)

standing near my

(swaying over her
silent)
with eyes which are really petals and see

nothing with the face of a poet really which
is a flower and not a face with
hands
which whisper
This is my beloved my

(suddenly in sunlight

he will bow,

& the whole garden will bow)

Editor 1 Interpretation

If there are any heavens my mother... (XLIII) by e.e. cummings: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow. Just wow. I don't know where to begin with this poem. If there are any heavens my mother... (XLIII) by e.e. cummings is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a deeply personal and emotional piece that explores the themes of mortality, grief, and the afterlife, all through the lens of the speaker's relationship with his mother. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the various literary devices and techniques used by cummings to convey his message, as well as the larger themes and meanings of this incredible poem.

Background

First, a little background information on e.e. cummings. He was an American poet, painter, essayist, and playwright, born in 1894 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is best known for his unconventional style of poetry, which often played with syntax, grammar, and punctuation, and his use of typography to create unique visual effects on the page. cummings was a prolific writer, publishing over 900 poems during his lifetime, as well as several novels and plays.

Analysis

Now, let's dive into the poem itself. "If there are any heavens my mother... (XLIII)" is a short, 6-line poem that packs a powerful emotional punch. Here is the poem in full:

if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)
have one. It will not be a pansy heaven nor
a fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley but
it will be a heaven of blackred roses
my father will be(deep like a rose
tall like a rose)

Even at first glance, we can see that cummings is playing with punctuation and capitalization in interesting ways. The lack of punctuation at the end of the first line suggests a pause or a moment of hesitation before continuing. The use of parentheses around "all by herself" adds emphasis to that phrase, highlighting the speaker's belief that his mother deserves a heaven all to herself. The lack of capitalization at the beginning of each line, except for the first word, gives the poem a sense of informality and intimacy, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader.

The first three lines of the poem set up the idea of a heaven for the speaker's mother, but they also establish a contrast between different types of flowers. The use of the word "pansy" suggests something delicate and fragile, while "lilies-of-the-valley" are known for their sweet fragrance and delicate blooms. These are both traditionally feminine flowers, and so the contrast between them suggests a dichotomy between femininity and strength. The speaker is saying that his mother's heaven will not be a fragile or delicate one, but rather one that is strong and bold.

The next two lines of the poem introduce the idea of blackred roses, which are a unique and striking type of flower. The use of the compound word "blackred" is interesting, as it suggests a merging or blending of two different colors or qualities. Black is traditionally associated with darkness, mystery, and death, while red is associated with passion, strength, and love. The image of blackred roses, then, suggests a blending of these two qualities, and perhaps even a celebration of them.

Finally, the last line of the poem introduces the speaker's father, who will be "deep like a rose / tall like a rose." This is a beautiful image, as it suggests strength, depth, and beauty. The use of the simile "like a rose" suggests that the speaker's father will be like a flower in his mother's heaven, adding to the overall theme of strength and beauty.

Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? What is cummings trying to say with this poem? There are a few different ways to interpret it, but here are a few possible interpretations:

1. A tribute to the speaker's mother

At its most basic level, this poem can be seen as a tribute to the speaker's mother. It is a celebration of her strength, beauty, and individuality, and a recognition of the impact she had on the speaker's life. The idea of a heaven all to herself suggests that the speaker sees his mother as deserving of a special place in the afterlife, and the use of blackred roses and the image of the speaker's father as a rose underscores the idea of strength and beauty.

2. A meditation on mortality and grief

More broadly, this poem can be seen as a meditation on mortality and grief. The idea of a heaven for the speaker's mother suggests a belief in an afterlife, but the use of the contrasting flowers at the beginning of the poem suggests a recognition of the fragility of life. The blackred roses, then, can be seen as a symbol of the beauty and strength that can be found in life, even in the face of death. The poem is a recognition of the pain of loss, but also a celebration of the life that was lived.

3. A critique of traditional ideas of femininity

Finally, this poem can be seen as a critique of traditional ideas of femininity. The use of the traditionally feminine flowers at the beginning of the poem suggests a stereotype of women as delicate and fragile, but the rejection of those flowers in favor of blackred roses suggests a rejection of that stereotype. The poem celebrates the strength and individuality of the speaker's mother, and suggests that those qualities are just as important, if not more so, than traditional femininity.

Conclusion

Overall, "If there are any heavens my mother... (XLIII)" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of mortality, grief, and the afterlife. cummings uses a variety of literary devices and techniques to convey his message, from the use of punctuation and capitalization to the imagery of flowers and roses. At its core, the poem is a tribute to the speaker's mother, but it is also a meditation on the fragility of life and a rejection of traditional ideas of femininity. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture complex emotions and ideas in just a few short lines, and a reminder of the beauty and strength that can be found in life, even in the face of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

If there are any heavens my mother will (all by herself) have one. It will not be a pansy heaven nor a fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley but it will be a heaven of blackred roses

my father will be (deep like a rose tall like a rose) standing near my (swaying over her silent) with eyes which are really petals and see

nothing with the face of a poet really which is a flower and not a face with hands which whisper This is my beloved my

(suddenly in sunlight he will bow, & the whole garden will bow)

The poem "if there are any heavens my mother..." by e.e. cummings is a beautiful tribute to the poet's mother and father. The poem is a reflection on the idea of heaven and what it might be like for those who have passed away. The poem is written in cummings' signature style, with unconventional punctuation and capitalization, which adds to the poem's dreamlike quality.

The poem begins with the line "If there are any heavens my mother will (all by herself) have one." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as cummings imagines a heaven that is unique to his mother. The use of parentheses in this line is typical of cummings' style, as he often uses punctuation to create pauses and emphasize certain words or phrases.

The next few lines describe what cummings imagines his mother's heaven will be like. He writes that it will not be a "pansy heaven" or a "fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley," but instead it will be a heaven of "blackred roses." This description is vivid and powerful, as it conjures up an image of a dark and mysterious heaven, filled with the beauty of roses.

The poem then shifts to a description of cummings' father, who will be in the same heaven as his mother. He describes his father as "deep like a rose / tall like a rose," which is a beautiful metaphor that compares his father to a flower. The use of the word "deep" suggests that his father had a complex and multifaceted personality, while the word "tall" suggests that he was a strong and imposing figure.

Cummings then imagines his father standing near his mother, "swaying over her silent." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that his father is watching over his mother in heaven, perhaps protecting her or keeping her company. The use of the word "swaying" also adds a sense of movement and rhythm to the poem, which is typical of cummings' style.

The next few lines describe the way that cummings imagines his father's eyes. He writes that they are "really petals and see / nothing." This is a beautiful and unusual metaphor, as it suggests that his father's eyes are not just organs of sight, but are also like flowers. The idea that his father's eyes "see nothing" is also interesting, as it suggests that his father is not focused on the material world, but is instead focused on something deeper and more spiritual.

Cummings then describes his father's face as that of a poet, which is "a flower and not a face." This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests that his father's face is not just a physical feature, but is also a reflection of his inner self. The idea that his father's face is a flower also adds to the poem's overall theme of nature and beauty.

The final few lines of the poem describe a beautiful moment when his father bows in the sunlight and the whole garden bows with him. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that his father is a figure of great importance and influence, and that his presence is felt throughout the natural world.

Overall, "if there are any heavens my mother..." is a beautiful and moving tribute to the poet's parents. The poem is filled with vivid and powerful imagery, and cummings' unconventional style adds to the poem's dreamlike quality. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of love, and it is a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and a father.

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