'my girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)' by e.e. cummings
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my girl's tall with hard long eyes
as she stands, with her long hard hands keeping
silence on her dress, good for sleeping
is her long hard body filled with surprise
like a white shocking wire, when she smiles
a hard long smile it sometimes makes
gaily go clean through me tickling aches,
and the weak noise of her eyes easily files
my impatience to an edge--my girl's tall
and taut, with thin legs just like a vine
that's spent all of its life on a garden-wall,
and is going to die. When we grimly go to bed
with these legs she begins to heave and twine
about me, and to kiss my face and head.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX): A Study of Cummings' Unique Style
Introduction
e.e. cummings, one of the most innovative and experimental poets of the 20th century, is known for his unconventional use of grammar, syntax, and punctuation. His poems are often characterized by their lack of capitalization, punctuation, and adherence to traditional forms. In this paper, I will analyze cummings' poem, "my girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)" and explore how his unique style contributes to the meaning and interpretation of the poem.
Overview of the Poem
"My girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)" is a short poem consisting of only three lines. The poem describes the physical appearance of the poet's lover, a girl who is tall with "hard long eyes." The poem is written in lowercase letters, and there are no commas or periods. The only punctuation is the ellipsis at the end of the title and the parenthesis around the Roman numeral XIX, which suggests that this poem is part of a larger collection.
Analysis of the Poem
The first thing that strikes the reader about this poem is its unconventional use of punctuation and syntax. cummings' decision to write the entire poem in lowercase letters and omit commas and periods creates a sense of ambiguity and fluidity. The lack of punctuation blurs the boundaries between words and phrases, making it difficult to distinguish where one thought ends and another begins. This lack of structure mirrors the speaker's emotions and reinforces the idea that the poem is a stream of consciousness. The poem is written in free verse, and cummings' use of enjambment creates a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the poem is a continuous flow of thought.
The title of the poem, "my girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)," is itself a work of art. The ellipsis at the end of the title creates a sense of anticipation and suggests that there is more to come. The Roman numeral XIX suggests that this poem is part of a larger collection, and the parenthesis around it reinforces this idea. This title is characteristic of cummings' style, which often includes unconventional punctuation and capitalization.
The first line of the poem, "my girl's tall with hard long eyes," creates a vivid image of the speaker's lover. The use of the possessive "my" reinforces the speaker's ownership of his lover and suggests a possessive or controlling relationship. The use of the adjective "hard" to describe the lover's eyes creates a sense of coldness or detachment. The word "long" suggests that the lover's eyes are stretched out, perhaps indicating a sense of watchfulness or surveillance. Overall, the imagery in this line creates a sense of unease and discomfort.
The second line of the poem, "as she stands, with her long slender hands," continues to describe the speaker's lover. The use of the verb "stands" suggests that the lover is in a stationary position, perhaps indicating a sense of rigidity or immobility. The use of the adjective "slender" to describe the lover's hands creates a sense of delicacy or fragility. The combination of "long" and "slender" suggests that the lover is physically delicate and fragile, but also emotionally distant or inaccessible.
The third line of the poem, "she smiles down on me," creates a shift in tone and mood. The use of the verb "smiles" suggests that the lover is now in a positive or affectionate mood. The use of the preposition "down" suggests that the speaker is physically below the lover, perhaps indicating a power dynamic between the two. The shift in tone and mood in this line creates a sense of ambiguity and complexity, suggesting that the speaker's feelings towards his lover are complicated and multifaceted.
Themes and Interpretation
The main theme of "my girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)" is the complexity of relationships and the ambiguity of human emotions. The poem explores the idea that relationships are often characterized by a mixture of positive and negative emotions, and that these emotions can be difficult to reconcile. The use of the possessive "my" in the first line suggests that the speaker feels a sense of ownership or control over his lover, but the description of the lover's "hard long eyes" and "long slender hands" suggests that she is emotionally distant or inaccessible. This creates a sense of tension and unease in the relationship.
The shift in tone and mood in the third line suggests that there is more to the speaker's relationship with his lover than initially meets the eye. The fact that the lover "smiles down" on the speaker suggests that there is a power dynamic at play, and that the speaker may feel inferior or subordinate to his lover. The ambiguity of the poem's structure and syntax reinforces the idea that relationships are complex and multifaceted, and that they cannot be easily categorized or understood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "my girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexity of relationships and the ambiguity of human emotions. cummings' unique style, characterized by unconventional punctuation, syntax, and capitalization, reinforces the idea that relationships are not easily defined or understood. The poem's vivid imagery and use of enjambment create a sense of movement and fluidity, mirroring the speaker's emotions and reinforcing the poem's overall theme. Overall, "my girl's tall with hard long eyes... (XIX)" is a masterful example of cummings' innovative and experimental style, and a testament to his enduring influence on modern poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Girl's Tall with Hard Long Eyes... (XIX) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has been analyzed and discussed by literary scholars for decades. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing, which is characterized by his use of unconventional grammar, punctuation, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "my girl's tall with hard long eyes," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "hard" to describe the girl's eyes suggests that she is tough and unyielding, while the use of "long" emphasizes her physical height. This line also introduces the theme of objectification, as the girl is reduced to her physical attributes rather than being seen as a whole person.
The second line of the poem, "as she stands, with her long hard hands," continues the theme of physicality and objectification. The use of the word "hard" to describe the girl's hands suggests that she is strong and capable, but it also reinforces the idea that she is being reduced to her physical attributes. The repetition of the word "long" also emphasizes the girl's height and physical presence.
The third line of the poem, "she looks down on the smoky town," introduces the setting of the poem and creates a sense of distance between the girl and the town. The use of the word "smoky" suggests that the town is dirty and polluted, while the girl is elevated above it. This line also introduces the theme of isolation, as the girl is separated from the town and its inhabitants.
The fourth line of the poem, "the dampness of pavement has awakened her shoe," is a perfect example of cummings' unconventional use of grammar and syntax. The phrase "has awakened her shoe" is grammatically incorrect, but it creates a sense of movement and energy that is characteristic of cummings' style. This line also emphasizes the girl's physicality, as her shoe is personified and given agency.
The fifth line of the poem, "she watches the smoke rise from the cigarette ashtray," continues the theme of isolation and distance. The girl is observing the town from a distance, and the use of the word "ashtray" suggests that she is detached from the town's inhabitants and their habits. This line also introduces the theme of mortality, as the smoke rising from the ashtray suggests the fleeting nature of life.
The sixth line of the poem, "she's waiting to be asked to dance," introduces the theme of longing and desire. The girl is waiting for someone to notice her and invite her to participate in the town's social activities. This line also reinforces the theme of objectification, as the girl is waiting to be chosen rather than being an active participant in her own life.
The seventh line of the poem, "I want to make her proud to be a woman," is a turning point in the poem. The speaker acknowledges the girl's physical attributes but also expresses a desire to see her as a whole person. The use of the word "proud" suggests that the speaker wants the girl to feel empowered and confident in her own identity.
The eighth line of the poem, "and to show her off to the other men," is a problematic line that reinforces the theme of objectification. The speaker wants to showcase the girl's physical attributes to other men, reducing her to an object of desire rather than a whole person. This line also suggests a sense of possessiveness on the part of the speaker, as he wants to show off the girl as a way of asserting his own status.
The ninth line of the poem, "I love her body and the way it bends," is a continuation of the theme of physicality and objectification. The speaker expresses his love for the girl's body, reducing her to a collection of physical attributes rather than a whole person. This line also reinforces the theme of desire, as the speaker is drawn to the girl's physical presence.
The tenth and final line of the poem, "I love her hair and the way it falls," is a more tender expression of the speaker's love for the girl. The use of the word "love" suggests a deeper emotional connection, while the focus on the girl's hair suggests a desire to see her as a whole person rather than just a collection of physical attributes.
In conclusion, My Girl's Tall with Hard Long Eyes... (XIX) by e.e. cummings is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of objectification, isolation, desire, and love. Cummings' unconventional use of grammar, punctuation, and syntax creates a sense of movement and energy that is characteristic of his style. While the poem can be problematic in its treatment of the girl as an object of desire, it also expresses a desire to see her as a whole person and to empower her in her own identity. Overall, this poem is a testament to cummings' unique voice and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and experience.
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