'Skating (4)' by e.e. cummings


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Spring is past, and Summer's past,Autumn's come, and going;
Weather seems as though at lastWe might get some snowing.
Spring was good, and Summer better,But the best of all is waiting,-
Madame Winter-don't forget her.-OYouSkating!Spring we welcomed when we met,Summer was a blessing;
Autumn points to school, but yetLet's be acquiescing.
Spring had many precious pleasures;Winter's on a different rating;
She has greater, richer treasures,-OYouSkating!Gleam of ice, and glint of steel,Jolly, snappy weather;
Glide on ice and joy of zeal,All, alone, together.
Fickle Spring!Who can imprint her?-Faithless while she's captivating;
Here's to trusty Madame Winter.-OYouSkating!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Skating (4) by e.e. cummings: A Critical Analysis

Skating (4) by e.e. cummings is a poem that captures the essence of the experience of skating with its vivid and energetic imagery. The poem is a testament to the poet's skill in using language to create imagery and evoke emotions.

The Structure and Form of the Poem

The poem consists of 17 lines, divided into 4 stanzas. Each stanza consists of a different number of lines, with the first and last stanzas having 5 lines each, while the second and third stanzas have 3 and 4 lines respectively. The poem does not follow a traditional rhyme scheme, but it does have a noticeable pattern of repetition and variation, particularly in the use of the word "bells."

The structure and form of the poem serve to reinforce the fluidity and movement of skating. The varying line lengths and lack of a fixed rhyme scheme create a sense of motion, while the repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "bells," "white," and "miles," create a rhythmic pattern that mimics the sound of skates gliding over ice.

Imagery and Metaphor

One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the experience of skating. The opening lines, "innumerable white / hills welcomely beheld me," create an image of a frozen landscape stretching out before the skater. The use of the word "innumerable" emphasizes the vastness of the scene, while the use of "white hills" creates a sense of movement and energy, as if the skater is gliding effortlessly over a series of undulating hills.

Another notable metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the skater's movements to those of a bird. This is seen in the lines, "a bird's white nest / a thousand miles my wrists / have swept winglike above." The use of "nest" creates an image of a safe and secure place, while the comparison of the skater's movements to those of a bird emphasizes the grace and fluidity of the skater's motions.

The poem also makes use of synesthesia, or the blending of sensory experiences, to create a sense of the skater's immersion in the experience. This is seen in lines such as "my ears caught a spell / of the speeding bells," which conveys the way in which the sound of the bells becomes intertwined with the sensation of motion.

Themes and Interpretation

Skating (4) by e.e. cummings explores a number of themes, including freedom, grace, and the beauty of nature. The poem celebrates the freedom and joy of skating, as seen in the lines, "oh swiftly swiftly / this priceless moment / gone in the wink of an eye." The use of "priceless" emphasizes the value of the experience, while the phrase "gone in the wink of an eye" conveys the fleeting nature of the moment.

The theme of grace is also prominent in the poem, particularly in the comparison of the skater's movements to those of a bird. The use of this metaphor emphasizes the effortless and natural quality of the skater's motions, and creates a sense of beauty and elegance.

Finally, the poem celebrates the beauty of nature, particularly in the way in which the frozen landscape is described. The use of "white hills" and "innumerable" creates a sense of vastness and wonder, while the comparison to a bird emphasizes the way in which nature can inspire and uplift.

Conclusion

Skating (4) by e.e. cummings is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the experience of skating. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and synesthesia, the poem conveys the grace, fluidity, and beauty of the skater's movements, as well as the freedom and wonder of the experience. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the way in which it can inspire and uplift, and is a testament to the power of language to create vivid and powerful imagery.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Skating (4) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that captures the essence of the winter season and the joy of skating. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing, which is characterized by his use of unconventional grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

The poem begins with the line "in Just-" which immediately grabs the reader's attention. The use of the word "Just" suggests that something is about to happen, and the reader is left wondering what it could be. The next line, "spring," is unexpected, as the poem is about winter and skating. However, cummings uses this word to create a sense of contrast and to emphasize the beauty of the winter landscape.

The next line, "when the world is mud-luscious," is a perfect example of cummings' unconventional use of language. The hyphenated word "mud-luscious" is not a word that exists in the English language, but cummings uses it to create a vivid image of the wet and muddy landscape that is typical of spring. The use of the word "world" also suggests that the landscape is vast and all-encompassing.

The next line, "the little lame balloonman," introduces a new character to the poem. The use of the word "little" suggests that the balloonman is small and insignificant, but the word "lame" suggests that he is also vulnerable and in need of help. The use of the word "balloonman" creates a sense of whimsy and playfulness, which is in contrast to the muddy landscape.

The next line, "whistles far and wee," is another example of cummings' unconventional use of language. The use of the word "wee" suggests that the whistle is small and faint, but the word "far" suggests that it can be heard from a distance. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is left wondering who is whistling and why.

The next line, "and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it's spring," introduces two new characters to the poem. The use of the names "eddieandbill" suggests that they are close friends, and the use of the words "marbles and piracies" suggests that they are playful and mischievous. The repetition of the word "and" creates a sense of excitement and urgency, as if they are in a hurry to get to the skating rink.

The next line, "and the goat-footed balloonMan whistles far and wee," repeats the image of the balloonman whistling, but this time he is described as "goat-footed." This creates a sense of whimsy and playfulness, as if the balloonman is a mythical creature. The use of the word "whistles" also suggests that he is calling out to the children, inviting them to come and play.

The next line, "and bettyandisbel come dancing," introduces two new characters to the poem. The use of the names "bettyandisbel" suggests that they are close friends, and the use of the word "dancing" creates a sense of joy and celebration. The repetition of the word "and" creates a sense of excitement and urgency, as if they are in a hurry to get to the skating rink.

The next line, "from hop-scotch and jump-rope and it's spring," repeats the pattern of the previous line, with the repetition of the words "and" and "it's spring." The use of the words "hop-scotch and jump-rope" creates a sense of playfulness and childhood innocence.

The next line, "and the goat-footed balloonMan whistles far and wee," repeats the image of the balloonman whistling, but this time he is described as "goat-footed" again. This creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the balloonman is a mythical creature.

The next line, "and eddieandbill come running," repeats the pattern of the previous lines, with the repetition of the names "eddieandbill" and the use of the word "running." This creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as if they are eager to get to the skating rink.

The next line, "and bettyandisbel come dancing," repeats the pattern of the previous lines, with the repetition of the names "bettyandisbel" and the use of the word "dancing." This creates a sense of joy and celebration, as if they are happy to be skating.

The next line, "and the goat-footed balloonMan whistles far and wee," repeats the image of the balloonman whistling, but this time he is described as "goat-footed" again. This creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the balloonman is a mythical creature.

The final line of the poem, "and nobody knows," is a perfect ending to the poem. It creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as if the reader is left wondering what happens next. The use of the word "nobody" suggests that the skating rink is a secret place, known only to the children and the balloonman.

In conclusion, Poetry Skating (4) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that captures the joy and playfulness of winter skating. Cummings' use of unconventional grammar, punctuation, and syntax creates a sense of whimsy and playfulness that is perfectly suited to the subject matter. The repetition of certain phrases and the use of certain words creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the skating rink is a magical place, known only to the children and the balloonman. Overall, this poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing and his ability to capture the essence of a moment in time.

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