Poem Analysis - It Is Funny You Will Be Dead Some Day

Introduction: A Dance with Death and Desire

E.E. Cummings' "It Is Funny, You Will Be Dead Some Day" is a darkly humorous and erotically charged meditation on mortality. The poem juxtaposes the stark reality of death with the vibrant, almost frenzied experience of physical desire. Its tone is initially cynical and even mocking, but it subtly shifts towards a more reflective and appreciative perspective as the speaker considers the cyclical nature of existence. The poem ultimately suggests a complex relationship between life, death, and the intensity of human experience.

Love, Lust, and Loss: The Poem's Central Themes

The poem grapples with several interwoven themes, most notably love and lust intertwined with the looming presence of death. The opening line bluntly declares the inevitability of death, setting a somber foundation. Yet, immediately following, the speaker focuses on the "mouth hair eyes," highlighting specific, sensual aspects of the beloved. This juxtaposition underscores the poem's central tension: the simultaneous awareness of life's fleeting beauty and its ultimate end. The second theme of the poem is sensuality, with vivid descriptions of the body and expressions of desire. The poem uses words to paint a vivid and sexually charged depiction of human interaction. The third and final theme is that even in death beauty persists, as death is juxtaposed with elements like rain and wind at the end of the poem.

A Kaleidoscope of Carnal Imagery

Cummings employs a rich tapestry of imagery to convey the poem's complex emotions. The phrase "nervously obscene need" encapsulates the speaker's conflicted feelings, suggesting a desire that is both intense and perhaps unsettling. The "lustfulhunched deeplytoplay lips" conjures a visceral image of physical intimacy, while phrases like "dark gold delicately smash" evokes the intensity and destructive power of sexual experience. These images contribute to the poem's overall feeling of urgency and a desperate attempt to savor life's pleasures before they are gone.

Symbolism of Grass, Stars, and Weather

The symbols within the poem suggest that death is but a component of a larger, beautiful, existence. The shift to "grass,and the stars,of my shoulder in stead" is notable because it suggests that rather than be in the arms of the one the speaker desires, death is coming. The mention of the "rain's face and the rich improbable hands of the Wind" at the end of the poem represent the power of nature to persist even after death. It could be interpreted that the speaker envies the natural world's ability to not be burdened by death, but at the same time acknowledges the beauty inherent in weather and nature. Is the speaker's desire to be natural and unburdened or is the speaker's acceptance of the cycle of life what truly defines the poem?

Concluding Thoughts: Embracing Mortality's Embrace

In conclusion, "It Is Funny, You Will Be Dead Some Day" is a provocative exploration of the relationship between love, desire, and mortality. Cummings masterfully uses vivid imagery, striking juxtapositions, and a shifting tone to create a poem that is both unsettling and deeply moving. Ultimately, the poem encourages us to confront the reality of death, not with fear, but with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and intensity of life and love in all their messy, vibrant forms. The poem makes the point that whether we like it or not, death is just a part of the natural cycle of beauty.