Poem Analysis - I Have Found What You Are Like

A Gentle Revelation: Introduction

E.E. Cummings' "I Have Found What You Are Like" is a delicate and impressionistic love poem, comparing the beloved to the gentle yet powerful presence of rain. The poem unfolds as a series of vivid images, capturing the sensory experience of rain and associating those sensations with the speaker’s feelings for their lover. The tone is initially one of quiet observation and then shifts to an expression of deep affection and longing. There is an overall feeling of wonder and peace.

The Language of Nature: Expressing Affection

One of the main themes in the poem is love expressed through nature. Cummings doesn’t directly state “I love you”; instead, he equates the beloved with rain. The first line, "i have found what you are like/the rain," immediately establishes this connection. The subsequent stanzas elaborate on this comparison, highlighting the rain's various qualities: its gentle touch ("feathers frightened fields"), its power ("wields/easily the pale club of the wind"), and its ability to bring about renewal ("deeds of green thrilling light"). By associating the beloved with these natural phenomena, Cummings suggests that their presence is as essential and refreshing as rain itself.

Sensory Richness: Capturing the Experience

The poem is rich with sensory imagery. The rain is not just seen but felt and heard. We experience its "superior dust-of-sleep," the "pale club of the wind," and the "utterable coolness." The woods "stutter/and/sing," creating an auditory landscape. These sensory details evoke a strong sense of the natural world and enhance the reader's understanding of the speaker's emotional state. The synesthetic "deeds of green thrilling light" blends visual and emotional experiences, further emphasizing the intense and multifaceted nature of love.

The Power of the Kiss: Desire and Intimacy

The theme of desire and intimacy is central to the poem’s conclusion. While much of the poem focuses on abstract qualities of rain, it ultimately returns to a very personal expression of longing. The line "And the coolness of your smile is/stirringofbirds between my arms" connects the beloved's smile to a feeling of warmth and vitality, while the final lines reveal the speaker's yearning for "your kiss." The repetition of "almost" creates a sense of anticipation and incompleteness, suggesting that the speaker desires a complete and fulfilling connection with their beloved. The phrase "(almost when hugeness will shut/quietly)almost," might imply the vastness of the universe contrasted with the intimate moment of a kiss, indicating that the love and the moment are all encompassing.

Symbols and Ambiguity: Unpacking the Poem's Layers

Several symbols contribute to the poem’s overall message. Rain, itself, can be interpreted as a symbol of renewal, cleansing, and growth. The "frightened fields" might represent a state of vulnerability that the rain soothes and rejuvenates. The "souls of flower" could symbolize the delicate and ephemeral nature of beauty, which the rain both sustains and transforms. The "stirringofbirds" in the speaker's arms may represent the joy and excitement that the beloved's presence evokes. The ambiguity in the parenthetical "(almost when hugeness will shut/quietly)almost," could be a contemplation on what this "hugeness" represents. Is it the universe, the intensity of emotions, or perhaps death? The uncertainty of this section leaves room for further reflection on the nature of love and connection.

Final Thoughts: A Moment of Connection

In conclusion, "I Have Found What You Are Like" is a beautiful and evocative poem that uses the imagery of rain to express the speaker's deep affection for their beloved. Through vivid sensory details and symbolic language, Cummings captures the feeling of being both refreshed and overwhelmed by love. The poem's strength lies in its ability to convey complex emotions through simple, natural imagery, ultimately celebrating the profound connection between two individuals. The poem lingers, suggesting the transformative and all-encompassing power of love experienced within the natural world.