Poem Analysis - If There Are Any Heavens My Mother

A Loving Glimpse of Paradise

E.E. Cummings' "if there are any heavens my mother" is a touching tribute to the poet's parents, envisioning their afterlife in a unique and deeply personal way. The poem unfolds with a gentle, reverent tone, creating a sense of peace and enduring love. There's a shift from the specific characteristics of his mother's heaven to the encompassing image of a shared, floral paradise, culminating in a harmonious bow of mutual respect and affection. The poem is an exercise in imagining the eternal rest and continuation of love beyond earthly constraints.

Love and Reverence: Themes of Eternal Connection

One of the poem's most prominent themes is love, expressed through the idealized portrayal of the poet's parents and their relationship. The mother's heaven is specifically designed to suit her individual character, a testament to her unique value in the poet's eyes. The father's presence, described as being "deep like a rose/tall like a rose," emphasizes his strength and unwavering support, further highlighting the theme of enduring love. Another major theme is reverence, not necessarily for a religious figure, but for the parents themselves. They are placed in a paradisiacal setting, not as a reward but as a natural extension of their inherent qualities. The poem also touches upon eternal connection, suggesting that the bond between the parents transcends earthly limitations and continues in a harmonious afterlife.

Floral Imagery: Symbolism of Beauty and Strength

The poem is saturated with floral imagery, which serves as a powerful symbol of beauty, strength, and enduring love. The "blackred roses" for the mother's heaven are particularly significant. Unlike the traditional "pansy heaven" or the "fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley," these roses suggest a heaven that is robust, passionate, and unconventional. The father, too, is described in floral terms – "deep like a rose/tall like a rose" – which connects him to the same qualities of strength and beauty. The poet's face "which is a flower and not a face" suggests connection with nature and a sensitivity to the beauty around him. This recurring symbolism emphasizes the idea that true beauty lies not in superficiality, but in depth, resilience, and authenticity.

Silence and Gesture: The Power of Unspoken Love

The poem uses silence and gesture to convey the depth of the parents' love. The father is described as "silent," yet his presence is powerful and comforting. His "eyes which are really petals and see/nothing" suggest a profound understanding that transcends visual perception. The "hands which whisper" further emphasize the subtle but meaningful communication between the parents. The final image of the father bowing and the "whole garden" bowing in response reinforces this idea of unspoken understanding and mutual respect. It makes one wonder if this silence is simply the absence of spoken word, or does it suggest a deeper understanding and union that needs no verbal expression.

A Garden of Love: Final Thoughts

In conclusion, "if there are any heavens my mother" is a heartfelt exploration of love, reverence, and the enduring power of familial bonds. Through vivid floral imagery and subtle gestures, E.E. Cummings creates a personal vision of paradise, not as a reward but as a natural extension of the inherent qualities of his parents. The poem's significance lies in its ability to transform abstract concepts like love and death into tangible, beautiful images, reminding us that the most profound connections often transcend words and earthly limitations, blooming eternally like a garden of blackred roses.