Poem Analysis - Am Was

An Impression of Fragmentation and Hope

E.E. Cummings' "am was" is a challenging but ultimately hopeful poem. It begins with a sense of disintegration, using fragmented language and jarring imagery to evoke feelings of loss and despair. However, the poem shifts subtly towards resilience, asserting the enduring power of life and growth even in the face of overwhelming forces. The overall tone moves from mournful and chaotic to cautiously optimistic, suggesting a cyclical view of existence where death is a necessary precursor to renewal.

The Shadow of Mortality and Loss

One central theme in "am was" is mortality and the pervasive sense of loss. The opening lines, with their disjointed phrases like "are leaves few this" and "scratchily over which of earth dragged once -ful leaf," create an immediate atmosphere of decay and transience. The image of a "poor / how colding hereless" sky further reinforces this feeling of desolation. The phrases "gone snow gone" also emphasizes the past and things that have faded away, reinforcing a sense of irreversible absence. The use of "am was," past tense, at the opening and repeated in the last section creates a cyclical representation of the theme and suggests a past condition.

The Enduring Power of Life

Despite the initial bleakness, the poem develops a theme of life's persistent strength and ability to overcome adversity. This is most evident in the lines "We're / alive and shall be." This declaration is a direct assertion of vitality in the face of the preceding despair. The poem contrasts individual human constraints, like being imprisoned by words or swallowed by ideas, with the inherent "greenness" of life. This "greenness," a symbol of growth and renewal, implies an intrinsic force that transcends human-made limitations.

Images of Oppression and Freedom

Cummings employs vivid imagery to contrast oppression and freedom. The image of "cities may overflow(am / was)assassinating whole grassblades" presents a brutal vision of urban expansion crushing the natural world, a symbol of vitality. This contrasts sharply with the "intense digestion" and "greenness" which represent resilience and the ability to transform experiences into growth. The repetition of "am was" here highlights not only death or past, but transition to a new state as a result of intense and powerful transformation. The "child's eyes float silently down" might suggest innocence lost, or perhaps the purity of observation needed to truly see and understand the cyclical nature of life.

Final Reflections on Growth and Resilience

"Am was" is a powerful meditation on the cyclical nature of existence. While the poem acknowledges the pain of loss and the constraints of human existence, it ultimately affirms the enduring power of life and the potential for growth. The poem’s significance lies in its ability to hold both despair and hope in tension, suggesting that even in the face of overwhelming forces, the "greenness" of life persists and allows for continuous renewal. It is a complicated poem that speaks to the power of transformation.