Friday 3 April 2015

C is for Cool...and Cummings, and that's without any Controversy over Capitals





Cummings, Edward Estlin (1894-1962)


E.E. Cummings was an American poet, though that was not all he was.  His is a prominent voice in modern English literature, and he is also remembered for the quirky way he had of not using capitals. Though the idea that he always signed his name in lower case is not true. I have many favourites among his poetry, but today I am responding to just one : as freedom is a breakfastfood 



Because love’s a mammoth twisted pretzel
and freedom’s cooked, but way too rare
too much sand and grit in the lentils
and cleaning’s not an option, prepare


to forget notions of lint-free lunches
and carefree consumed as breakfastfood
body fluids soaked up by sponges
here, and the whine of endless feud.




I was led to Cummings in a roundabout way.  In 'Love Story' which is my generation's The Fault in Our Stars, the heroine, Jennifer, writes without capitals, and the protagonist, Oliver, and she have just met, and he is defensive about his background.  And he thinks on spotting her notes and unusual handwriting - 'who does she think she is? e.e.cummings?' So I went in search of Cummings and that was that.  

Many great poets to choose from in C - Cavafy, Cohen, Coleridge, Collins, the list goes on! Any of them a favourite of yours?


C is also for Calm, and Catastrophic and Cataclysmic and Clean.  Yesterday, Calm is what I was not!  A Cataclysmic sandstorm happened over here, and we were Caught out in it.  Hubs drove us back in pathetic visibility, got home to find the wind had worked a loosely latched window open and entire place was flooded with sand. Catastrophic doesn't begin to describe it. Clean seemed Centuries away! Calmed down with Cummings, no better way than poetry!!


You need to be Careful with windows in the desert, open is not always good. Sometimes, things are better Closed. Depending on the Circs..

C is also for Comments which Creates a lot of heat and dust here in Blogland :) How to get more, how many are enough, how one should respond, whether one should respond on one's own blog or comment over at the visitors' blogs etc. etc, I just wanted to say my response will be to visit yours.

Okay, enough said.  I'm getting out of here. Off to read.  See you round the traCk!








Posted for the A-Z Challenge 2015 


16 comments:

  1. I have to be honest... I've heard about the great poets, but have never actually read them. There have been bits and pieces in books and magazines. This poem is short and beautiful. My favorite, "cleanings' not an option, prepare." Perfect statement for starting a committed relationship. Thank you for posting!

    You can find me here:
    ClarabelleRant

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  2. Hi Nila - what a nuisance about the sandstorm .. yes I'd be frazzled by having to sort that out - but am glad you're home safely. Also what an interesting way to find out about Cummings - and his poetry and eclectic style of writing .. cheers Hilary

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  3. Hi, really enjoyed this (and the Auden below too), and lovely to find someone else posting poetry, I will call back to read your future posts.
    martine@silencing the bell

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  4. what an education I am getting on the A-Z challenge and we are only on 'C'.

    Of you list, my vote is for Cohen..it might be a different one tomorrow though.

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  5. I love e.e. cummings. A sandstorm sounds scary! Be 'Careful!'

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  6. Poetry is and has always been more than just rhyming words...

    Welcome in the "C"... as a host I am stopping by to say thank you!
    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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  7. Oh, Coleridge, Coleridge for sure! After Keats and Wordsworth it is Coleridge all the way. ;)

    https://out0fprint.wordpress.com/

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  8. Really enjoyed your post! I haven't read or written poetry in so long. I really need to get back into it.

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  9. I love e.e. cummings. Thanks for sharing his work. It has made my morning. I believe he preferred his name without capitols, which to me makes him all the cooler.

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  10. I love e.e. cummings. Thanks for sharing his work. It has made my morning. I believe he preferred his name without capitols, which to me makes him all the cooler.

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  11. I used to live in Arizona - dust and sand get everywhere, especially when there's a storm.

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  12. Sandstorms are the worst. Always appreciate a good poem. :)

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  13. Nice post. I have a friend who never uses capitals. Takes getting used to.

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  14. I may have to start reading his work. Thank you for your post on him

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  15. I've only read a little Cummings. :(

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  16. Thanks for the cummings reference. i think it's an energy-saver, for sure, to not use capitals.

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