Thursday, October 29, 2009

may i feel said he by e e cummings

Was watching The Weakest Link this evening and one of the questions was what was the unique style of e e cummings' poems. And immediately I remember this brilliant piece which I want to share with you.

Well, if you read more of Edward Estlin Cummings’ (1894-1962) works, you will notice that he doesn't used capital letters, appropriate punctuation and syntax.

may i feel said he
(i'll squeal said she
just once said he)
it's fun said she

(may i touch said he
how much said she
a lot said he)
why not said she

(let's go said he
not too far said she
what's too far said he
where you are said she)

may i stay said he
(which way said she
like this said he
if you kiss said she

may i move said he
is it love said she)
if you're willing said he
(but you're killing said she

but it's life said he
but your wife said she
now said he)
ow said she

(tiptop said he
don't stop said she
oh no said he)
go slow said she

(cccome?said he
ummm said she)
you're divine!said he
(you are Mine said she)

This was the first piece of his works that I came across. At that time I thought the author’s surname was a joke; that someone just playfully conjured to go along with this erotic (in a beautiful and wholesome way) piece, until I read more of his works and knew that indeed there was this American poet, playwright and author.

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