'may my heart always be open to little... (19)' by e.e. cummings
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may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are old
may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it's sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young
and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there's never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile
Editor 1 Interpretation
"May my heart always be open to little..." by E.E. Cummings
"May my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living whatever they sing is better than to know and if men should not hear them men are old"
These are the opening lines of E.E. Cummings' poem "May my heart always be open to little..." (19). The poem is a beautiful meditation on the importance of remaining open to the small and beautiful things in life, even as we grow older and become more jaded.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It is composed of four quatrains, each consisting of four lines. The lines are short, and the language is simple. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see the complexity and depth of Cummings' thought.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing a desire for his heart to always be open to the little birds who are the secrets of living. What does this mean? At first, it seems like a simple metaphor. The little birds represent the small and beautiful things in life that are often overlooked or ignored. But as we read on, we see that there is more to it than that.
Cummings goes on to say that "whatever they sing is better than to know." This is a powerful statement. It suggests that the beauty of the little birds lies not in any specific knowledge or message they might convey, but simply in their existence and their song. In a world where knowledge and information are prized above all else, Cummings is reminding us that there is value in simply being alive and experiencing the beauty of the world around us.
But the poem doesn't stop there. Cummings goes on to say that "if men should not hear them men are old." This is a challenging statement. It suggests that if we are not able to hear the little birds, we are old, regardless of our age. What does it mean to be old in this context? Is it simply a matter of losing touch with the beauty of the world, or is there more to it than that?
As we read on, we see that Cummings is actually challenging our entire way of thinking about age and maturity. He is suggesting that it is possible to be young at any age, as long as we remain open to the small and beautiful things in life. In a world that often equates youth with physical beauty and vitality, Cummings is reminding us that true youthfulness comes from within, from a deep appreciation of the world around us.
The second stanza of the poem reinforces this idea. Cummings writes:
"may my mind stroll about hungry and fearless and thirsty and supple and even if it's sunday may i be wrong for whenever men are right they are not young"
Here we see Cummings expanding on the idea of youthfulness. He is suggesting that in order to remain young, we must keep our minds hungry, fearless, and supple. We must be willing to question our assumptions and challenge our own beliefs. And we must be willing to be wrong, even on a Sunday, when the rest of the world is busy being right.
But what does it mean to be young in this context? Is it simply a matter of being rebellious or contrary? Again, Cummings is challenging our assumptions. He is suggesting that being young is not simply a matter of being different or contrary to the rest of the world. It is about remaining open to new ideas and experiences, even as we grow older and more set in our ways.
The third stanza of the poem takes this idea even further. Cummings writes:
"may i be always unwearyingly sweet and if i die and a worm be my meat may he that's got enough to eat say how sweet is life to eat"
Here we see Cummings taking the idea of youthfulness to its logical conclusion. He is suggesting that true youthfulness comes not from physical beauty or strength, but from a deep sweetness of spirit. He is reminding us that even in death, there is beauty to be found.
But what does it mean to be "unwearyingly sweet"? Is Cummings suggesting that we should be naive or overly idealistic? Again, he is challenging our assumptions. He is suggesting that sweetness of spirit comes not from ignorance or foolishness, but from a deep appreciation of the world and a willingness to find beauty even in the darkest of places.
The final stanza of the poem brings all these ideas together. Cummings writes:
"may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living whatever they sing is better than to know and if men should not hear them men are old may my mind stroll about hungry and fearless and thirsty and supple and even if it's sunday may i be wrong for whenever men are right they are not young and may myself do nothing uselessly and may i sing sometimes like the birds sing and may i be sweet always and a little lame and may i never scorn that which i have understood"
Here we see Cummings summing up his entire philosophy of life. He is suggesting that true youthfulness comes from remaining open to the small and beautiful things in life, from keeping our minds hungry and supple, and from finding sweetness even in the darkest of places. He is encouraging us to find our own voices, to sing our own songs, and to never scorn the things we have come to understand.
In conclusion, "May my heart always be open to little..." (19) is a beautiful poem that challenges our assumptions about age, maturity, and youthfulness. Cummings is reminding us that true youthfulness comes not from physical beauty or strength, but from a deep appreciation of the world and a willingness to find beauty even in the darkest of places. He is encouraging us to remain open to new ideas and experiences, to find our own voices, and to never scorn the things we have come to understand. This is a message that is as relevant today as it was when Cummings wrote this poem over 70 years ago, and it is a message that we would all do well to take to heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
May My Heart Always Be Open to Little...
E.E. Cummings, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that is both simple and profound. "May My Heart Always Be Open to Little..." is a poem that speaks to the importance of staying open to the small things in life, even as we navigate the complexities of the world around us.
The poem is only 19 words long, but it packs a powerful punch. Cummings was known for his unconventional use of language and punctuation, and this poem is no exception. The lack of capitalization and the use of ellipses at the end of the title and throughout the poem create a sense of openness and possibility.
The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come: "may my heart always be open to little." This line is a call to stay open to the small things in life, the things that are often overlooked or taken for granted. It is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is beauty and wonder to be found in the everyday.
The second line of the poem continues this theme: "birds who are the hidden flowers of the sky." Here, Cummings uses a metaphor to describe the beauty of birds. He suggests that birds are like hidden flowers in the sky, reminding us that there is beauty all around us if we are willing to look for it.
The third line of the poem takes a turn: "and to the children who are the flowers of the earth." Here, Cummings shifts his focus from the natural world to the world of human beings. He suggests that children are like flowers, reminding us of the innocence and wonder of childhood.
The final line of the poem brings everything together: "and to everyone i love who must journey through the unknown." Here, Cummings acknowledges the challenges and uncertainties that we all face in life. He reminds us that even as we navigate the unknown, we can stay open to the small things that bring us joy and wonder.
Overall, "May My Heart Always Be Open to Little..." is a poem that speaks to the importance of staying open to the small things in life. It is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is beauty and wonder to be found in the everyday. Cummings' use of language and metaphor creates a sense of openness and possibility, inviting us to stay open to the world around us.
One of the most striking things about this poem is its brevity. At only 19 words long, it is a testament to Cummings' ability to convey powerful ideas in a concise and impactful way. The lack of capitalization and the use of ellipses create a sense of openness and possibility, inviting the reader to fill in the gaps and imagine what might come next.
Another notable aspect of this poem is its use of metaphor. Cummings compares birds to hidden flowers in the sky and children to flowers of the earth, creating a sense of interconnectedness between the natural world and the world of human beings. This metaphorical language invites us to see the world in a new way, to look for the beauty and wonder that is often hidden in plain sight.
At its core, "May My Heart Always Be Open to Little..." is a poem about staying open to the world around us. It is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is beauty and wonder to be found in the everyday. Cummings' use of language and metaphor creates a sense of openness and possibility, inviting us to stay open to the small things that bring us joy and wonder.
In conclusion, "May My Heart Always Be Open to Little..." is a poem that speaks to the importance of staying open to the small things in life. It is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is beauty and wonder to be found in the everyday. Cummings' use of language and metaphor creates a sense of openness and possibility, inviting us to stay open to the world around us. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey powerful ideas in a concise and impactful way, and it is a reminder of the beauty and wonder that is all around us if we are willing to look for it.
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