'my love is building a building... (XII)' by e.e. cummings
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my love is building a building
around you, a frail slippery
house, a strong fragile house
(beginning at the singular beginning
of your smile)a skilful uncouth
prison, a precise clumsy
prison(building thatandthis into Thus,
Around the reckless magic of your mouth)
my love is building a magic, a discrete
tower of magic and(as i guess)
when Farmer Death(whom fairies hate)shall
crumble the mouth-flower fleet
He'll not my tower,
laborious, casual
where the surrounded smile
hangs
breathless
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Love is Building a Building... (XII) by E.E. Cummings
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were floating in a dream? A poem that seems to challenge traditional grammar and syntax, yet still conveys a deep and powerful emotion? If you haven't, then you need to read "My Love is Building a Building... (XII)" by e.e. cummings.
This poem is a prime example of cummings' unique style of poetry. It has no capitalization, unconventional line breaks, and unusual punctuation, yet it still manages to convey a sense of passion and longing that is palpable. Let's take a closer look at this masterpiece and explore its various elements.
The Structure of the Poem
"My Love is Building a Building... (XII)" is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines. However, unlike traditional sonnets, this poem has no rhyme scheme. Instead, cummings uses the repetition of certain phrases and images to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different purpose. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the central metaphor of the poem. The second stanza explores the metaphor in more detail and adds a sense of urgency to the poem. The final stanza brings the poem to a close and reinforces the central message.
The Central Metaphor
The central metaphor of the poem is "my love is building a building." This metaphor is powerful because it conveys the sense of something being created, something that requires hard work and dedication. At the same time, the metaphor is vague enough to allow the reader to interpret it in their own way.
Throughout the poem, cummings uses images of construction and architecture to reinforce the central metaphor. For example, he writes:
my love is building a prison
my love is building a wall
These images create a sense of confinement and restriction, which contrasts with the idea of something being built. This contrast adds depth to the metaphor, suggesting that the act of creation is not always easy or straightforward.
The Use of Language
One of the most striking aspects of cummings' poetry is his use of language. In "My Love is Building a Building... (XII)," he breaks many of the rules of traditional grammar and syntax. For example, he writes:
my love is building, a building around you,
This sentence has no subject or verb, yet it still conveys a sense of action and movement. The comma after "building" creates a pause or a breath, emphasizing the act of building.
Cummings also uses unusual punctuation, such as parentheses and ellipses, to create a sense of fragmentation and uncertainty. For example, he writes:
(and if you'll ask me why i'll say
it's because you are
and i am
(and you are sweet
i am
and what are we))
This passage has a dreamlike quality to it, with the use of parentheses suggesting the speaker's uncertain thoughts.
The Message of the Poem
At its core, "My Love is Building a Building... (XII)" is a poem about love and the power of creation. The central metaphor suggests that love is not a passive emotion, but an active force that requires effort and dedication. The use of construction and architecture imagery reinforces this idea, suggesting that love is something that can be built and maintained over time.
However, the poem also acknowledges the difficulties that come with love. The images of prisons and walls suggest that love can be confining and restrictive, while the use of unusual language and punctuation creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.
Ultimately, though, the poem is a celebration of love and the creative power of the human spirit. It suggests that, despite the difficulties and challenges that may arise, love is something worth building and worth fighting for.
Conclusion
"My Love is Building a Building... (XII)" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It challenges traditional grammar and syntax, yet still manages to convey a deep and powerful emotion. The central metaphor of love as a construction project is both powerful and flexible, allowing the reader to interpret it in their own way.
Above all, though, the poem is a celebration of love and the creative power of the human spirit. It suggests that love is something worth building and worth fighting for, even in the face of adversity. If you haven't read this poem yet, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Love is Building a Building... (XII) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has been analyzed and discussed by literary enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style, which is characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind this poem and how cummings' style contributes to its overall impact.
The poem begins with the line "my love is building a building," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of repetition in this line emphasizes the importance of the building that the speaker's love is constructing. The building is not just any ordinary structure; it is a symbol of the love that the speaker and their partner share. The speaker's love is not just building a physical structure, but rather a metaphorical one that represents their relationship.
The second line of the poem reads, "around you, a frail, slippery" which is a continuation of the first line. The use of the word "frail" suggests that the building is delicate and vulnerable, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's relationship. The word "slippery" adds to this vulnerability, suggesting that the building, and by extension the relationship, is not yet stable and could easily fall apart.
The third line of the poem reads, "darkness: as the nimble fingers of" which introduces a new element to the poem. The use of the word "darkness" suggests that the building is being constructed in a dimly lit environment, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the challenges that the speaker and their partner face in their relationship. The phrase "nimble fingers" suggests that the building is being constructed with care and precision, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the effort that the speaker and their partner are putting into their relationship.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "the boy I subtly killed" which is a jarring and unexpected line. The use of the word "killed" suggests that the speaker has done something terrible to the boy, but the context of the poem does not provide any further information. This line could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the boy represents the speaker's past self, and the act of killing him represents the speaker's desire to move on from their past and focus on their relationship.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "one day you'll not wake up in the morning;" which is a continuation of the previous line. The use of the phrase "one day" suggests that the speaker is acknowledging the inevitability of death, which could be interpreted as a reminder to cherish the time that they have with their partner. The phrase "you'll not wake up in the morning" is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, and could be interpreted as a call to action for the speaker and their partner to make the most of their time together.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "but some kind of twilight" which introduces a new element to the poem. The use of the phrase "twilight" suggests that the speaker is referring to a transitional period, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the changes that the speaker and their partner will face in their relationship. The phrase "some kind of" suggests that the speaker is uncertain about what the future holds, but is hopeful that they will be able to navigate whatever challenges come their way.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "will spread out on the grass" which is a continuation of the previous line. The use of the phrase "spread out" suggests that the twilight will be expansive and all-encompassing, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker and their partner's love. The phrase "on the grass" suggests that the twilight will be a natural and organic experience, which could be interpreted as a reminder to appreciate the simple pleasures in life.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "and I'll take you in my arms" which is a continuation of the previous line. The use of the phrase "take you in my arms" suggests that the speaker is eager to embrace their partner, which could be interpreted as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other. The phrase "I'll" suggests that the speaker is taking an active role in their relationship, which could be interpreted as a sign of their dedication to making their relationship work.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "and we'll look up at the sky" which is a continuation of the previous line. The use of the phrase "look up at the sky" suggests that the speaker and their partner are taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around them, which could be interpreted as a reminder to appreciate the little things in life. The phrase "we'll" suggests that the speaker and their partner are in this together, which could be interpreted as a sign of their mutual love and support for each other.
The final line of the poem reads, "and the city will be gone" which is a powerful and evocative ending to the poem. The use of the phrase "the city will be gone" suggests that the speaker and their partner are transcending the chaos and noise of the world around them, and are focusing on what truly matters: their love for each other. This line could be interpreted as a reminder to prioritize the things that are truly important in life, and to not get caught up in the distractions and noise of the world around us.
In conclusion, My Love is Building a Building... (XII) by e.e. cummings is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, vulnerability, and the fragility of life. Cummings' unique style, characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization, contributes to the impact of the poem and adds to its overall meaning. This poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today, and is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit.
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