Poem Analysis - I Am A Beggar Always

A Silent Plea: Introduction

E.E. Cummings' "I Am A Beggar Always" presents a poignant and somewhat unsettling image of an internal presence persistently seeking acknowledgment. The poem's tone is initially gentle and pleading, evolving into a subtle form of guilt-tripping and ultimately offering a potential release. It explores the idea of unwanted thoughts and emotions as a constant, quiet supplicant residing within the mind. There is a shift from desperate hope to a conditional promise of departure. This unusual poem deals with inner struggles and emotions being unwanted in an individual's thoughts.

The Beggar Within: Exploring the Theme of Inner Conflict

One of the central themes is that of inner conflict and the struggle to suppress unwanted thoughts or feelings. The "beggar" acts as a metaphor for these internal burdens. The opening lines, "i am a beggar always/who begs in your mind," immediately establish this presence as an uninvited, constant fixture. The beggar's "BLIND" sign suggests that these emotions might be irrational, difficult to understand, or purposefully ignored. The phrase "you are never wholly rid" emphasizes the persistence and inescapability of these inner struggles. The use of the word "kid" later in the poem gives the sense of familiarity and an intimacy that one often feels toward their inner thoughts.

Love and Thought as Currency: Exploring the Theme of Emotional Neglect

The poem also develops the theme of emotional neglect. The beggar's simple request for "just enough dreams to/live on" highlights the basic human need for emotional sustenance. The speaker implies that denying this need is akin to starving a part of oneself. The invitation to "toss him a few thoughts/a little love preferably" suggests that even small gestures of emotional acknowledgement can make a difference. The line "anything which you can't/pass off on other people" reveals the core of the neglect: the refusal to confront and process one's own emotions. It's the things we can't easily share or delegate that the beggar craves, representing the uniquely personal and often difficult aspects of our inner lives.

Conditional Release: Exploring the Theme of Freedom from the Self

Finally, the poem addresses the theme of freedom from the self. The beggar offers a conditional release, stating that if given "a plugged promise" (a promise that has never been fulfilled) he will "go wandering/after it with fingers." This suggests that the very act of acknowledging and addressing these suppressed emotions, even if the solution is flawed or incomplete, can lead to a form of liberation. The beggar's departure, described as "taptaptaps out of your brain, hopes, life," indicates a gradual fading away, a release from the burden of constant internal conflict. The ultimate promise "never bother you any more," reinforces the potential for inner peace, but only after confronting these neglected aspects of the self. This freedom requires an act of self-honesty even if this honesty is a used up or empty promise, the beggar will leave the person's thoughts.

The Blind Beggar: Symbolism and Imagery

The central image of the blind beggar is rich with symbolic potential. Blindness can represent a lack of self-awareness, a willful ignorance of one's own emotions, or the inability to see a solution to internal conflicts. The beggar's hat serves as a receptacle for the "thoughts" and "love" that are offered, suggesting that these are the vital resources needed to sustain and perhaps ultimately release these inner burdens. The image of the beggar "taptaptaps" out of the mind creates a sense of diminishing presence, a gradual fading away that emphasizes the process of liberation. The "corner" the beggar carefully turns suggests that the process of inner healing requires cautious navigation and a thoughtful approach.

Final Thoughts: The Significance of Inner Recognition

In conclusion, "I Am A Beggar Always" is a powerful exploration of inner conflict, emotional neglect, and the potential for self-liberation. Through the vivid imagery of the blind beggar, Cummings compels us to confront the unwanted thoughts and emotions that reside within our minds. The poem suggests that by acknowledging these inner burdens, by offering them the emotional sustenance they crave, we can ultimately find a path towards inner peace. The poem emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and emotional honesty in achieving a sense of wholeness and freedom from the constant demands of the neglected self. Cummings urges one to listen to one's inner thoughts and to grant them some type of understanding, no matter how small, in order to bring oneself peace.