'somewhere i have never travelled... (LVII)' by e.e. cummings


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somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
any experience, your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully, misteriously) her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility: whose texture
compels me with the colour of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

Editor 1 Interpretation

"somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII) by e.e. cummings: A Resplendent Journey into the Depths of Love

When one comes across a poem as intricate and elusive as "somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII) by e.e. cummings, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and lost in a sea of emotions and metaphors. Yet, it is precisely this feeling of being lost that drives the reader to embark on a journey of exploration and interpretation, to unravel the layers of meaning and significance hidden within the poem's lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall delve deep into the heart of the poem, uncovering its themes, symbols, and language, and ultimately, discovering the essence of love that lies at its core.

The Poem's Structure and Language

Before we delve into the poem's themes and symbols, it is important to understand its structure and language. As with many of cummings' poems, "somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII) is written in a non-traditional style, with a free-flowing structure that defies the conventions of grammar and punctuation. The poem is composed of six stanzas, each containing three lines, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCBDD. However, within this structure, cummings employs a unique syntax and wordplay, with words and phrases often separated by dashes or parentheses, and capitalization used sparingly.

The poem's language is equally evocative, with cummings' masterful use of metaphor, imagery, and personification creating a rich tapestry of emotions and sensations. The poem opens with the striking image of "somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond," which immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. From there, cummings employs a series of metaphors and symbols, such as the rose, the wind, the snow, and the eye, to convey the depth and complexity of the speaker's emotions.

The Themes of Love and Vulnerability

At its core, "somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII) is a poem about love, and specifically, about the vulnerability that comes with being in love. The speaker is addressing their beloved, whom they describe as having "closedness" and "openness" in their gaze, suggesting that the beloved is both guarded and vulnerable, and that the speaker is acutely aware of this duality. The repeated use of the word "never" throughout the poem further underscores the speaker's sense of awe and wonder at the depth of their love, and their fear of losing it.

Yet, while the poem is imbued with a sense of vulnerability and fragility, it is also suffused with a sense of joy and wonder. The speaker describes their beloved as having the power to "enfold" and "unravel" them, suggesting that love is a transformative force that can both bind and liberate us. The use of natural imagery, such as the rose and the wind, further underscores the poem's sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that love is an elemental force that is both mysterious and powerful.

The Symbolism of the Rose

One of the most striking symbols in "somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII) is the rose, which appears repeatedly throughout the poem. The rose is a complex symbol, representing both love and vulnerability, as well as beauty and fragility. In the first stanza, the speaker describes their beloved's "rose" mouth, suggesting that their lips are both beautiful and delicate, much like a rose. Later in the poem, the speaker describes the rose as being "nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands," suggesting that love is a force that transcends even the most elemental and natural of things.

Yet, the rose is also a symbol of vulnerability and fragility, as it is easily crushed or damaged. The repeated use of the word "petals" throughout the poem further underscores this sense of fragility, as petals are often seen as a symbol of beauty that is easily damaged or destroyed. The rose thus serves as a powerful symbol of the dual nature of love, representing both its transformative power and its inherent fragility.

The Significance of the Eye

Another important symbol in "somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII) is the eye, which appears throughout the poem as a symbol of the beloved's gaze. The speaker describes the beloved's eyes as having both "closedness" and "openness," suggesting that the beloved is both guarded and vulnerable. The repeated use of the word "eye" also serves to underscore the speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the depth of their love, suggesting that the beloved's gaze is a powerful and transformative force that has the ability to both bind and liberate.

Yet, the eye is also a symbol of perception and understanding, suggesting that the speaker has a deep and profound understanding of their beloved. The repeated use of the word "I" throughout the poem further underscores this sense of intimacy and understanding, suggesting that the speaker has a deep and abiding connection with their beloved.

Conclusion

In "somewhere i have never travelled..." (LVII), e.e. cummings has created a resplendent journey into the depths of love, exploring the themes of vulnerability, fragility, and transformation through a rich tapestry of metaphors and symbols. Through language that is both evocative and elusive, cummings has created a sense of wonder and awe that captures the reader's imagination and emotions. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the transformative power of love, and the profound sense of intimacy and understanding that can be found within it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has been analyzed and appreciated by poetry enthusiasts for decades. The poem is a beautiful and complex piece of literature that explores themes of love, vulnerability, and the power of emotions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its structure, language, and meaning.

Structure

The poem is structured in five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, but it does have a consistent meter. The meter is iambic, which means that each line has two syllables, with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed. The poem's structure is simple, but it is effective in conveying the poem's message.

Language

One of the most striking features of the poem is its language. Cummings uses a lot of imagery and metaphors to convey his message. The poem is filled with references to nature, such as "the wind of your sighs" and "the voice of your eyes." These references to nature help to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the person he is addressing.

Cummings also uses a lot of repetition in the poem. The phrase "somewhere I have never travelled" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's sense of wonder and awe. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is left wondering where the speaker is referring to.

Meaning

The poem is a love poem, but it is not a typical love poem. The speaker is not expressing his love in a straightforward manner. Instead, he is using metaphors and imagery to convey his emotions. The poem is about the power of love and the vulnerability that comes with it.

The speaker is in awe of the person he is addressing. He describes her as "a rose in the deeps of his heart," emphasizing her beauty and the depth of his feelings for her. The speaker is also aware of his vulnerability. He describes himself as "a tight bud that opens only to your voice," emphasizing how he is dependent on the person he is addressing.

The poem is also about the power of emotions. The speaker is overwhelmed by his emotions, and he describes them as "the voice of your eyes" and "the wind of your sighs." These emotions are so powerful that they have the ability to control the speaker's actions and thoughts.

Conclusion

Somewhere I Have Never Travelled... (LVII) by e.e. cummings is a beautiful and complex poem that explores themes of love, vulnerability, and the power of emotions. The poem's structure, language, and meaning all work together to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the person he is addressing. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the vulnerability that comes with it. It is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to be analyzed and appreciated for generations to come.

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