if everything happens that can’t be done -...
TRANSCRIPT
if everything happens that can’t be done E.E. Cummings (1894–1962)
if everything happens that can't be done
(and anything's righter
than books
could plan)
the stupidest teacher will almost guess 5
(with a run
skip
around we go yes)
there's nothing as something as one
one hasn't a why or because or although 10
(and buds know better
than books
don't grow)
one's anything old being everything new
(with a what 15
which
around we come who)
one's everyanything so
so world is a leaf so a tree is a bough
(and birds sing sweeter 20
than books
tell how)
so here is away and so your is a my
(with a down
up 25
around again fly)
forever was never till now
now i love you and you love me
(and books are shuter
than books 30
can be)
and deep in the high that does nothing but fall
(with a shout
each
around we go all) 35
there's somebody calling who's we
we're anything brighter than even the sun
(we're everything greater
than books
might mean) 40
we're everyanything more than believe
(with a spin
leap
alive we're alive)
we're wonderful one times one 45
QUESTIONS: 1. Explain the last line of this poem.2. This poem is based on a contrast between heart and mind (or love and learning). Which does the speaker prefer? What symbols represent each concept? 3. Scan the first stanza of the poem. What is the basic metrical scheme? How does the meter contribute to both the tone and meaning of the poem?4. Why does Cummings insert line breaks such as those in lines 3-4, 6-7, and so on?5. The word “every” could be pronounced with either two (ev-ry) or three (ev-er-ry) syllables. Judging by the meter of the poem, how should it be pronounced in lines 14, 38, 18, and 41?
AP Literature | Poetry/Structure