Poem Analysis - My Girls Tall With Hard Long Eyes

An Introduction to “My Girl's Tall With Hard Long Eyes”

E.E. Cummings' "My Girl's Tall With Hard Long Eyes" presents a complex and somewhat unsettling portrait of love and desire. The poem juxtaposes images of hardness and fragility, strength and vulnerability, creating a tension that permeates the entire piece. The tone is initially observational, almost clinical, but gradually shifts towards a more intimate and passionate expression, tinged with a hint of melancholy. The poem is an exploration of the multifaceted nature of the speaker's feelings for his lover, capturing both her captivating presence and her inherent mortality.

The Interplay of Hardness and Vulnerability

One of the central themes of the poem is the interplay between strength and vulnerability, embodied in the contradictory descriptions of the "girl." The repeated use of "hard" and "long" to describe her eyes, hands, and body suggests a certain resilience and perhaps even a defensive posture. This hardness, however, is counterbalanced by images of fragility. The comparison of her legs to a vine "that's spent all of its life on a garden-wall, and is going to die" introduces a sense of impending decay and weakness. This juxtaposition underscores the idea that even the strongest individuals possess a delicate and vulnerable core, highlighting the ephemeral nature of beauty and strength.

Desire and the Awareness of Mortality

The theme of desire is intricately linked to an awareness of mortality. The speaker's attraction to the "girl" is palpable, expressed through descriptions of her smile "tickling aches" and her eyes filing his "impatience to an edge." However, this desire is not presented as purely celebratory. The imagery of the dying vine introduces a somber note, suggesting that the speaker is acutely aware of the transient nature of their connection. The phrase "When we grimly go to bed" further reinforces this sense of underlying unease, implying that their intimacy is shadowed by the knowledge of inevitable loss. The poem subtly explores how the intensity of desire can be heightened by the awareness of mortality.

The Symbolism of the "White Shocking Wire"

The image of the "white shocking wire" is a striking and ambiguous symbol. It appears when the girl smiles, suggesting that her smile is not simply a display of happiness but also a potent and perhaps even dangerous force. The "shock" implies a sudden and intense emotional or physical impact. It could be interpreted as representing the speaker's overwhelming attraction to her, or perhaps the inherent volatility of their relationship. The color white often symbolizes purity or innocence, which further complicates the image, suggesting that even in the midst of intensity, there is a certain underlying purity or vulnerability to their connection. Is this a positive or negative image? The poem leaves that deliberately open to interpretation, making it a truly captivating part of the overall meaning.

Concluding Thoughts on a Complex Portrait

In conclusion, "My Girl's Tall With Hard Long Eyes" is a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of love, desire, and mortality. Cummings masterfully utilizes contrasting imagery and evocative symbolism to create a portrait of a woman who is both strong and fragile, desirable and potentially dangerous. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to capture the complex and often contradictory emotions that accompany human connection, reminding us that even the most passionate relationships are inevitably tinged with the awareness of our own impermanence. The poem’s lasting impact comes from the exploration of the paradoxical nature of human connection and how it is shaped by the awareness of mortality.