Jan 17 2025
e. e. cummings – may my heart always
may my heart always be open to little
by e. e. cummings
may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are old
may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it’s sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young
and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there’s never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile
— from E.E. Cummings: Complete Poems 1904-1962, by e. e. cummings
/ Image by Dan Bojorquez /
I want to start by addressing the fires still raging in Southern California. I was an adolescent in the LA area, not far from where many of the fires are now burning. I no longer have family in the area and I haven’t been back in many years, but I have history there, formative moments associated with those places. I carry the imprint of the land with me. So, even from a distance, the fires feel personal.
To all of you affected more directly by the fires, my heart goes out to you and your communities.
The rhythms of the world feel as if they have shifted. The hills surrounding LA have always been prone to fires, but never with such destruction and size. Just as many areas have always been vulnerable to hurricanes, but never with such size and ferocity and frequency. It feels as if few places on the planet are truly stable and reliable these days, requiring us to dig deep to discover an inner source of security while becoming supremely flexible in dealing with a shifting landscape — all while trying to help and ease suffering where we can. I guess our work is laid out for us…
Now, on to today’s poem–
Boy… e.e. cummings.
Any commentary or thoughts you want to share? Me, I’m not sure I want to touch this one! Anything that betrays too much of a fixed reading of this poem feels misplaced. (“for whenever men are right they are not young”)
far better to roll wordlets with otherthan meanings
and let them pool slow in the honey-glad heart
I think I’ll just reread the poem…
may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
Be well making your way through this perilous, wondrous world.
Recommended Books: e. e. cummings
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| E.E. Cummings: Complete Poems 1904-1962 | 73 Poems | 1 x 1 [One Times One] | 50 Poems | 95 Poems |
| More Books >> | ||||
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e. e. cummings
US (1894 – 1962) Timeline |
Great post Ivan in these dark times – thank you!… The “rhythm” of the world does indeed feel like it is shifting. Empathy and compassion have become the lost jewels of a culture gone mad. Ignorance reigns. Not to sound too doom and gloom 🙂 Just my observations and experience. Indeed it has become imperative that we learn to rely on our inner “Source of Security” – and well-being. Blessings to you _/\_
Hi Ivan,
My heart goes out to you and all those who will be affected by such a long time by the terrible LA fires. It does indeed feel sas if a switch has been flicked into significantly more insecure times. I don’t know if you get the astrological moon calendar there – a glorious one page annual poster full of astrological wisdom – but I was talking to its a long-time creator, Thomas Zimmer, a while ago who said that in these times the only place to be lived from will be the ‘laboratory of the heart’ – a phrase that has stuck with me and complements your fabulous quote of the day. I appreciate the way you bring a 180 and insightful twist to things.
Wishing your heart and memories well,
Kris.
Thank You, Ivan for this e.e.cummins poem – it certainly is fitting for these times we
are living in. His plea to be open to listen to the birds, experience awe, instead of knowing – our minds can get so confused and overwhelmed. The Thought for the Day
is beautiful – Love and compassion are effortless. The soul is exhausted by the effort
to stop this natural outpouring of the heart – too much thinking!