Poem Analysis - As Is The Sea Marvelous

A Meditation on Eternal Love

E.E. Cummings's "as is the sea marvelous" is a short yet profound meditation on love and enduring power. The poem begins with a sense of awe and wonder at the natural world, specifically the sea, and then subtly transitions to the theme of love. The tone is initially reverent and peaceful, gradually becoming more intimate and passionate as the poem progresses. There's a sense of quiet strength throughout, suggesting love's resilience amidst the impermanence of other things.

Sea as a Symbol of Eternity

One of the poem's central themes is the contrast between the ephemeral and the eternal. Cummings uses the image of the sea as a symbol of something enduring and unchanging. "as is the sea marvelous / from god’s / hands which sent her forth / to sleep upon the world" creates a sense of timelessness. The subsequent images of "the earth withers," "the moon crumbles," and "stars flutter into dust" underscore the transient nature of earthly existence. In contrast, "the sea / does not change," highlighting its constant and unwavering presence, which mirrors the enduring nature of the love described later in the poem. The sea's cyclical nature, going "forth out of hands and / she returns into hands," reinforces this sense of perpetual existence.

The Fragility of Existence

The poem starkly contrasts the sea's constancy with the decay and disintegration of other celestial bodies. The lines depicting the withering earth, crumbling moon, and stars turning to dust create a powerful image of mortality and the ephemeral nature of existence. This imagery serves to emphasize the sea's remarkable endurance and perhaps implies that true love, like the sea, can transcend the limitations of time and physical decay. Cummings uses stark and simple language to illustrate the inevitable decline of the world around us. This section serves as a potent reminder of the fleeting nature of all things, further highlighting the exceptional quality of the sea and the love that mirrors it.

Love's Consuming Power

The poem shifts focus to love, presenting it as a powerful and transformative force. The phrase "love, / the breaking / of your / soul / upon / my lips" suggests an intense and almost violent surrender. The "breaking" of the soul could be interpreted as the dismantling of defenses and the vulnerability required for genuine connection. The image of the soul breaking "upon my lips" is sensual and intimate, indicating a deep emotional and physical union. This metaphor implies that love is not merely a passive emotion but an active and potentially overwhelming experience that can alter one's very being. The phrase conveys the profound impact that one person can have on another through love.

Final Thoughts on Enduring Love

In conclusion, "as is the sea marvelous" is a concise yet profound exploration of love's enduring power against the backdrop of earthly transience. The sea functions as a central symbol of eternity, its unwavering presence contrasting with the fleeting nature of other elements of the universe. The poem ultimately suggests that true love, like the sea, possesses a timeless quality, capable of weathering the storms of existence and providing a source of enduring strength and connection. The final image of the soul breaking upon the lips leaves the reader with a sense of love's powerful and transformative potential, echoing the sea's vastness and its endless capacity for renewal. The poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love.