Poem Analysis - Ill Tell You A Dream I Had Once

A Dream of Union and Desire

E.E. Cummings' "i'll tell you a dream i had once" is a sensual and intimate exploration of love and connection. The poem begins with a surreal, dreamlike state and transitions into a passionate expression of longing and unity. The tone is initially detached and observational, quickly evolving into intense desire. The unconventional punctuation and capitalization add to the poem's dreamy, personal feel, suggesting the free-flowing nature of thought and emotion. It's a poem about the merging of two souls, expressed through vivid imagery and a playful, almost childlike vulnerability.

Sensual Dreamscape and Escape

The opening of the poem establishes a dreamlike atmosphere. The image of lying on a brass bar "away up in the sky Blue,everything" evokes a sense of escape and freedom from earthly constraints. The speaker is naked ("i didn't have anything on") and experiencing contrasting sensations – "cOOl" bar and "Hot" body – which heightens the sensuality of the scene. This initial imagery establishes a state of vulnerability and receptivity, preparing the reader for the intimate encounter that follows. The bar itself could be interpreted as a symbol of suspension or a transitional space between the physical and emotional realms.

The Consuming Power of Love

One of the main themes is the transformative power of love and desire. The line "O My lover, there's just room for me in You" marks a clear shift towards intense intimacy. The speaker desires complete absorption by their lover. The poem's language becomes increasingly physical and intimate, detailing a merging of bodies and minds: "my stomach goes into your Little Stomach My legs are in your legs Your arms under me around; my head fits(my head)in your Brain." This physical description symbolizes a deeper emotional and spiritual union. The repetition of body parts emphasizes the complete surrender of the self to the beloved.

Imagery of Intimacy and Merging

The poem is filled with imagery of physical and emotional merging. The idea of one's stomach fitting into another's "Little Stomach" is a playful yet potent image of closeness. Similarly, the image of one's head fitting into another's brain suggests an intellectual and emotional connection. The parenthetical phrase "(my head)" and the subsequent dialogue with the lover ("she(said laughing)with your head.all big") introduce a note of humor and self-awareness, suggesting that this intense connection is both deeply satisfying and slightly absurd. The head being "big" could symbolize intellect or ego, which is playfully acknowledged and embraced within the relationship.

Concluding Thoughts: Embracing Union

In conclusion, "i'll tell you a dream i had once" is a powerful exploration of the desire for complete union within a loving relationship. The poem moves from a surreal, dreamlike state to an expression of intense longing and physical intimacy. Through vivid imagery and unconventional language, Cummings captures the transformative power of love, suggesting a merging of bodies and minds that transcends the individual. The poem's playful tone and self-aware humor add a layer of complexity, reminding us that even the most profound connections can be both deeply meaningful and delightfully imperfect. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the joy and vulnerability of surrendering oneself to another.