Tag Archives: e. e. cummings

the passing of all shining things

By Robin Bates | Published: October 13, 2022

e.e. cummings has a dialogue with Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind” in his own poem about autumn. I include Frost and Oliver in the reflection as well.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "In Blackwater Woods", "Ode to the West Wind", "the glory is fallen out of", Autumn, death, Mary Oliver, Percy Shelley | Comments closed

i thank You God for most this amazing

By Robin Bates | Published: July 17, 2021

In his joyous poem “i thank You God for most this amazing,” e.e. cummings uses his distinctive style in service of expressing God.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "i thank You God for most this amazing", Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare | Comments closed

Hanukkah: Light Invites Happiness

By Robin Bates | Published: December 12, 2020

Mary Oliver’s celebration of light in “Poppies” qualifies it as a Hanukkah poem.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Poppies", Garden of Earthly Delights, Hanukkah, Hieronymus Bosch, Mary Oliver | Comments closed

A Mother’s Smile Prevails over Doubt

By Robin Bates | Published: December 5, 2020

e.e. cummings’s Christmas poem “from spiraling ecstatically this” disrupts normal patterns to reveal the elusive nature of the divine.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "from spiraling ecstatically this", Christmas, incarnation | Comments closed

When the World Is Mud-Luscious

By Robin Bates | Published: March 21, 2018

e. e. cummings ushers in spring with a joyous celebration.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "in Just-", "Spring", Children, rain, Seasons | Comments closed

i sing of Kaepernick glad and big

By Robin Bates | Published: September 7, 2016

The case of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick not standing for the national anthem brings to mind E. E. Cummings’s “i sing of Olaf,” where an American conscientious objector refuses to honor the flag and is tortured.