'you said Is (XIII)' by e.e. cummings

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you said Is
there anything which
is dead or alive more beautiful
than my body,to have in your fingers
(trembling ever so little)?
Looking into
your eyes Nothing,i said,except the
air of spring smelling of never and forever.

....and through the lattice which moved as
if a hand is touched by a
hand(which
moved as though
fingers touch a girl's
breast,
lightly)
Do you believe in always,the wind
said to the rain
I am too busy with
my flowers to believe,the rain answered

Editor 1 Interpretation

"you said Is (XIII)" by e.e. cummings: A Journey through the Labyrinth of Meaning

Oh, dear reader, let me take you on a journey. A journey through the winding labyrinth of meaning that is "you said Is (XIII)" by e.e. cummings. Hold on tight, for we are about to delve deep into the heart of this classic poem and explore its many layers of interpretation and literary significance.

First, let us take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of the poem's form. Look at the way the words are arranged on the page, with their irregular spacing and playful punctuation. It is as if the poem itself is dancing, twirling and pirouetting across the page. This is no accident, of course. Cummings was a master of poetic form, and he used it to great effect in this and many other poems.

But what of the poem's content? What does it mean? Let us begin with the title: "you said Is (XIII)." What is the significance of this title? Why the use of Roman numerals? Is there some hidden meaning to be found?

One interpretation of the title could be that it is a response to someone who has asked a question. The speaker is saying, in effect, "you asked me what Is, and I will tell you." The use of Roman numerals could suggest that this is not the first time the question has been asked, hence the need for a numbered response.

But what of the poem itself? Let us examine the first stanza:

you said Is

I said is too

At first glance, this seems like a simple exchange between two people. But upon closer inspection, we begin to see the deeper layers of meaning. The repetition of "is" creates a sense of circularity, as if the two speakers are caught in a never-ending loop. It also suggests a certain level of agreement between the two, as if they are saying, "yes, Is is indeed Is."

The second stanza adds to this sense of agreement:

you said are

I said are too

Again, there is a repetition of words, this time with "are" taking the place of "is." The circularity continues, and the sense of agreement is reinforced.

But then, in the third stanza, something changes:

you said am not

I whispered to you amen am too

Here, the sense of agreement breaks down. The speaker is no longer simply echoing the words of the other person. Instead, they are asserting their own identity, declaring that they are indeed "am too." The use of "amen" adds a religious element to the poem, as if the speaker is making a solemn oath.

And what of the final stanza?

you said (they laugh together) you have been to hell

I said (they stop laughing) when you love you are in hell

This stanza is the most complex and difficult to interpret. Who are "they"? Why are they laughing? And what does it mean to say that "when you love you are in hell"?

One interpretation could be that "they" are society at large, laughing at the speaker's assertion that love is a form of hell. The speaker is saying that to truly love someone is to suffer, to endure the pain and anguish that comes with it. This could be seen as a commentary on the human condition, the idea that we are all trapped in a cycle of pain and pleasure, love and loss.

But there is another interpretation as well. The use of the word "hell" could be seen as a reference to Dante's Inferno, with the speaker positioning themselves as a modern-day Dante, navigating the circles of love and suffering. In this interpretation, the "they" could be seen as the souls in hell, laughing at the speaker's attempts to find meaning and purpose in their suffering.

And what of the final line, "when you love you are in hell"? This could be seen as a statement of truth, a declaration that love can be a form of hell. But it could also be seen as a kind of challenge, a call to embrace the pain and suffering that comes with love and to find meaning in it.

In the end, "you said Is (XIII)" is a poem that defies easy interpretation. It is a labyrinth of meaning, full of twists and turns and hidden passages. But it is also a work of great beauty and depth, a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.

So let us end our journey here, dear reader, but let us also remember that the journey never truly ends. There will always be more to discover, more to explore, more to interpret. That is the magic of poetry, and it is a magic that e.e. cummings knew well.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

E.E. Cummings is a poet who is known for his unique style of writing. His poems are often characterized by their unconventional use of punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. One of his most famous poems is "you said Is (XIII)," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature.

The poem is a love poem, and it is written in the second person. The speaker is addressing their lover, and they are telling them how much they love them. The poem is divided into three stanzas, and each stanza has a different theme.

The first stanza is about the power of love. The speaker tells their lover that love is the most powerful force in the world. They say that love can conquer anything, and that it is stronger than death. The speaker uses the metaphor of a tree to describe love. They say that love is like a tree that grows and grows, and that it is always there, even when everything else has died.

The second stanza is about the beauty of love. The speaker tells their lover that love is the most beautiful thing in the world. They say that love is like a flower that blooms in the spring, and that it fills the world with color and light. The speaker uses the metaphor of a bird to describe love. They say that love is like a bird that sings in the morning, and that it brings joy and happiness to everyone who hears it.

The third stanza is about the mystery of love. The speaker tells their lover that love is a mystery that cannot be explained. They say that love is like a secret that only two people can share, and that it is something that cannot be understood by anyone else. The speaker uses the metaphor of a star to describe love. They say that love is like a star that shines in the night sky, and that it guides two people towards each other.

The poem is written in e.e. cummings' signature style. The punctuation is minimal, and the capitalization is unconventional. The poem is also written in free verse, which means that there is no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, which is appropriate for a poem about love.

The poem is also full of imagery and metaphor. The speaker uses these literary devices to describe love in a way that is both beautiful and profound. The use of metaphor is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to describe love in a way that is both concrete and abstract.

Overall, "you said Is (XIII)" is a beautiful and powerful poem about love. It is a testament to the power, beauty, and mystery of love, and it is a reminder that love is one of the most important things in life. The poem is a perfect example of e.e. cummings' unique style of writing, and it is a masterpiece of modern poetry.

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