Poem Analysis - And This Day It Was Spring

An Impression of Spring and Sensuality

E.E. Cummings' "And This Day It Was Spring" is a poem that captures the confusing and intoxicating experience of spring, not just as a season but as a sensual awakening. The poem blends feelings of desire, frustration, and a search for connection within a bustling urban landscape. The tone shifts from an initial exuberance to a more introspective and somewhat melancholic questioning, ending with a burst of chaotic energy. There's an undercurrent of both excitement and disorientation as the speaker grapples with the world's overwhelming sensory input and the complexities of human interaction.

Yearning for Connection Amidst Urban Life

One of the central themes is the yearning for connection within the isolating context of urban life. The phrase "eagerly just not each other touch" poignantly captures this paradox. People are drawn to each other, seeking connection ("seeking, some street"), yet a tangible, fulfilling connection remains elusive. The "brittle fuss / of fragile huge humanity" suggests the superficiality and fragility of these interactions, where genuine connection is overshadowed by the noise and anxieties of modern society. The poem highlights the tension between the desire for intimacy and the difficulty of achieving it in a crowded, impersonal environment.

Sensory Overload and the Search for Meaning

Another dominant theme is the overwhelming sensory experience of the world and the subsequent search for meaning. Cummings bombards the reader with sensory details, particularly the "smelloftheworld," which is described as "lewdly the murmurous minute clumsy." This is not a sanitized, romanticized version of spring, but a raw, almost overwhelming experience. The "Numb / thoughts, kicking in the rivers of our blood," suggest a mind struggling to process this sensory overload. The poem implies that this intense experience can be disorienting ("it / made you a little dizzy did the world’s smell") but also sparks a deeper contemplation about existence and purpose.

The Girl-and-Bird Image: A Symbol of Fleeting Beauty

The "girl-and-bird" image is a recurring symbol, representing fleeting beauty, freedom, and perhaps even vulnerability. The speaker wonders "why the girl-and-bird / of you move….moves…." This suggests that the speaker is captivated by the way this person embodies a certain grace and freedom, similar to a bird in flight. The repetition of "moves" emphasizes the transient nature of this beauty, implying that it is something that cannot be captured or fully understood. It prompts reflection on the ephemeral nature of beauty and the difficulty of holding onto fleeting moments of joy or inspiration. Is the speaker seeing a physical similarity, or more a reflection of the persons nature? The poem leaves this ambiguous, inviting the reader to interpret the image in their own way.

A Chaotic Conclusion: Music at the Crossroads

The poem concludes with the image of "a handorgan in twilight playing like hell" at "the corner of Nothing and Something." This vivid image serves as a final burst of chaotic energy. The handorgan, a symbol of old-fashioned entertainment, playing "like hell" suggests a defiance in the face of emptiness or meaninglessness. The intersection of "Nothing and Something" highlights the existential questions raised throughout the poem – the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and absurd. The poem suggests that even in the midst of confusion and disillusionment, there is still beauty and vitality to be found, even if it is expressed in a somewhat chaotic and unconventional way.