'lily has a rose... (12)' by e.e. cummings


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lily has a rose
(i have none)
"don't cry dear violet
you may take mine""o how how how
could i ever wear it now
when the boy who gave it to
you is the tallest of the boys""he'll give me another
if i let him kiss me twice
but my lover has a brother
who is good and kind to all""o no no no
let the roses come and go
for kindness and goodness do
not make a fellow tall"lily has a rose
no rose i've
and losing's less than winning(but
love is more than love)

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exploring the Beauty of e.e. cummings' "lily has a rose..."

There are poets, and then there are poets who push the boundaries of what we think poetry can be. E.E. Cummings is one of the latter. His poem "lily has a rose..." is a perfect example of his unique style and mastery of language. In this essay, we will explore this poem and its underlying themes.

Overview of the Poem

At first glance, "lily has a rose..." may seem like a simple poem. It consists of only three lines and six words. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is much more going on.

The first thing to note is the unconventional formatting. The poem is not capitalized, and there is no punctuation other than an ellipsis at the end of the title. This lack of structure gives the poem a sense of freedom and fluidity.

The second thing to note is the use of imagery. The title itself is a juxtaposition of two seemingly opposite things: a lily and a rose. This contrast sets the tone for the rest of the poem and suggests that there is more beneath the surface.

Analysis of the Poem

Let us begin by looking at the title. The fact that the lily and the rose are together suggests that there is a connection between them. This connection is reinforced by the use of the word "has" instead of "is". The lily does not "is a rose", but rather "has a rose". This implies that the two are separate entities that are somehow linked.

Moving on to the body of the poem, we see that it consists of three lines. The first line repeats the title, further emphasizing its importance. The second line, "a sweetly (wholly) opening petal..." is where the poem really comes to life.

The use of parentheses around "wholly" suggests that it is an optional addition, but it is crucial to the meaning of the poem. "Wholly" changes the meaning of "sweetly opening petal" from a physical description to a metaphorical one. The petal is not just a petal, but a representation of something greater.

But what is that something? Here is where the poem becomes open to interpretation. One possibility is that the petal represents love. Love is sweet and opening, and when it is whole, it is beautiful. The lily "has" the rose in the same way that love "has" the power to transform us.

Another possibility is that the petal represents life. Life is sweet and opening, and when it is whole, it is beautiful. The lily "has" the rose in the same way that life "has" the power to surprise us.

Still another possibility is that the petal represents creativity. Creativity is sweet and opening, and when it is whole, it is beautiful. The lily "has" the rose in the same way that creativity "has" the power to inspire us.

Conclusion

In the end, "lily has a rose..." is a poem that invites us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper connections between things. It shows us that even seemingly opposite things can be linked in unexpected ways. And it reminds us that there is beauty in the world if we are willing to look for it.

As e.e. cummings famously said, "To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody but yourself—means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight." "lily has a rose..." is a testament to his commitment to being nobody-but-himself and encourages us to do the same.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lily has a rose... (12) is a classic poem written by e.e. cummings that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style, which is characterized by his use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of this poem and examine how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

First and foremost, it is important to note that the title of this poem is intentionally misleading. At first glance, one might assume that the poem is about a lily and a rose, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is actually about a woman named Lily and her lover. This is just one example of cummings' tendency to play with language and subvert readers' expectations.

The poem begins with the line "lily has a rose," which is a simple and straightforward statement. However, cummings immediately follows this with the phrase "upon her bosom," which adds a layer of sensuality and intimacy to the image. The use of the word "bosom" is particularly significant, as it is a more old-fashioned and romantic term for the chest or breasts. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of love and desire.

The second line of the poem is "with a rose in her hair," which further emphasizes the romantic and sensual nature of the poem. The image of a woman with a flower in her hair is a classic symbol of beauty and femininity, and cummings uses it to great effect here. The use of the word "with" also suggests that the rose is not just a physical object, but rather a symbol of something deeper and more meaningful.

The third line of the poem is where things start to get more interesting. Cummings writes, "the angel of the lilies has lain down his sword." This is a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, in which an angel with a flaming sword guards the entrance to the Garden of Eden. By saying that the angel of the lilies has laid down his sword, cummings is suggesting that Lily and her lover have gained access to a kind of paradise or utopia. This is further reinforced by the next line, which reads, "his wings are folded." The image of an angel with folded wings suggests a sense of peace and contentment.

The fourth line of the poem is "lily's hair is like the disheveled grass of sleep." This is a particularly striking image, as it combines the natural beauty of a field of grass with the intimacy and vulnerability of a sleeping person. The use of the word "disheveled" suggests that Lily's hair is not perfectly styled or controlled, but rather wild and untamed. This adds to the sense of passion and spontaneity that permeates the poem.

The fifth line of the poem is "and her eyes are as closed as flowers." This is another example of cummings' tendency to use unconventional syntax and punctuation. By placing "as closed as flowers" at the end of the sentence, he creates a kind of delayed effect that draws the reader's attention to the image of closed flowers. This is a powerful metaphor for the idea of intimacy and vulnerability, as flowers are often associated with fragility and delicacy.

The sixth and final line of the poem is "which fly with the weightlessness of butterflies." This is a beautiful and evocative image that brings the poem to a close on a note of lightness and joy. The use of the word "weightlessness" suggests a sense of freedom and liberation, while the image of butterflies adds a touch of whimsy and playfulness.

Overall, Lily has a rose... (12) is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of love, intimacy, and vulnerability. Cummings' use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and imagery creates a sense of spontaneity and passion that is both captivating and inspiring. This poem is a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion and create meaning, and it is sure to continue to captivate readers for generations to come.

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