Poem Analysis - If I Should Sleep With A Lady Called Death

Introduction: A Bitter Farewell

E.E. Cummings' "if I should sleep with a lady called death" is a sharply cynical poem, seemingly addressed to a former lover who has moved on. The tone is initially aggressive and possessive, laced with jealousy, before shifting to a detached, almost mocking indifference. The poem explores themes of betrayal, resentment, and the ultimate insignificance of love in the face of mortality. It's a raw and unsentimental farewell, delivered with a distinctively dark humor.

The Sting of Betrayal: Love and Death Intertwined

One central theme of the poem is the destructive power of betrayal in love. The opening lines immediately establish this, using the metaphor of "death" to represent the speaker's former lover's new relationship: "if I should sleep with a lady called death / get another man with firmer lips." Here, death isn't literal; it's a symbol of the end of their love and the perceived coldness of the woman's new affection. The speaker uses harsh, almost vulgar imagery ("hips pumping pleasure into hips") to express his disgust and jealousy, highlighting the physical intimacy he feels excluded from. The metaphor of death as a lover foreshadows the poem's reflection on mortality and the meaninglessness of romantic love in the face of it.

Gifts of Indifference: The Irony of Affection

The middle stanzas introduce a shift towards a more detached form of resentment. The lines "Seeing how the limp huddling string / of your smile over his body squirms / kissingly, I will bring you every spring / handfuls of little normal worms" are dripping with sarcasm. The "worms" are a deliberate insult, a grotesque parody of romantic gestures like flowers. This image emphasizes the speaker's perception of the relationship as decaying and repulsive. His intention to bring them "every spring" suggests a continuing, albeit mocking, remembrance, highlighting his inability to fully let go, even as he claims indifference.

The Inch of Nothing: Confronting Emptiness

The poem’s final stanza dives into the theme of existential emptiness. The speaker acknowledges the woman's superficiality ("Dress deftly your flesh in stupid stuffs, / phrase the immense weapon of your hair"). He understands the "why his eye laughs," suggesting he sees through the facade of happiness in the new relationship. The offer of "something which is worth the whole, / an inch of nothing for your soul" is a profound and bitter statement. It implies that the woman's pursuit of pleasure and superficiality is ultimately meaningless, offering nothing of substance to her soul. The "inch of nothing" ironically represents the speaker's supposed superior understanding of this emptiness, while also acknowledging the ultimate futility of everything.

Symbolism of Decay and Insignificance

The poem employs powerful symbols throughout. Beyond the obvious "lady called death," which personifies the end of love, the image of "worms" is particularly striking. Worms are associated with decay, death, and the earth, reinforcing the theme of mortality and the rotting of the relationship. The act of bringing them as gifts is a deliberate act of mockery, highlighting the speaker's resentment and his desire to inflict some form of emotional pain. It questions whether the speaker is actually hurting the former lover or is stuck in a cycle of pain that he is perpetuating upon himself. This can be seen as a sign of inner turmoil on his part.

Conclusion: A Dark and Cynical Farewell

"If I should sleep with a lady called death" is a complex and emotionally charged poem, marked by cynicism and bitterness. It explores the themes of betrayal, resentment, and the existential emptiness that can follow lost love. The speaker’s harsh imagery and sarcastic tone convey a deep sense of pain and disillusionment, ultimately questioning the meaning of relationships in the face of mortality. The poem is less a lament and more a declaration of independence from the perceived foolishness of romantic love and the embrace of a bleak, albeit honest, perspective.