Poem Analysis - Notice The Convulsed Orange Inch Of Moon

Introduction: A Journey Through Light and Shadow

E.E. Cummings' "Notice The Convulsed Orange Inch Of Moon" invites us on a nocturnal journey, a departure from the mundane into a realm of surreal beauty and unsettling undercurrents. The poem begins with a striking image of the moon and then shifts into a journey with a companion. The tone is initially whimsical and inviting, yet it gradually darkens, introducing elements of fear, death, and social unease. This interplay between light and shadow, beauty and ugliness, creates a complex and thought-provoking experience.

Escaping the Ordinary: The Allure of the Unknown

One of the poem's central themes is the escape from the ordinary, represented by the "white town whose spires softly dare." The speaker actively chooses to leave behind the conventional and predictable, seeking something more profound or perhaps more real in the "forest." This theme is developed through the contrasting imagery of the town, with its daring spires, and the "houseless wisping rune / of road lazily carved on sharpening air." The road, described as a "rune," hints at a mystical or symbolic journey, suggesting that the speaker is seeking a deeper understanding or experience beyond the confines of societal norms.

Facing the Darkness: Confronting Social Unease and Mortality

The poem also grapples with themes of social unease and mortality, introducing unsettling elements that disrupt the initial sense of wonder. The parenthetical reference to the "Black People, chérie, / who live under stones" is particularly jarring, introducing a potentially racist and dehumanizing element. This suggests a hidden, marginalized population living in the shadows, adding a layer of social commentary to the poem. The mention of "exact tombs, where a large road crosses / and all the people are minutely dead" further emphasizes the theme of mortality, painting a bleak picture of a world where life has been reduced to a mere statistic.

Symbolic Landscapes: The Moon, the Road, and the Forest

Several vivid images and symbols recur throughout the poem, contributing to its overall meaning. The "convulsed orange inch of moon" immediately captures the reader's attention, representing a concentrated source of light and perhaps a symbol of hope or guidance. The road, as mentioned earlier, symbolizes the journey itself, a path leading away from the known and into the unknown. The "forest" is a classic symbol of the subconscious or the untamed aspects of human nature, a place of potential danger but also of profound discovery. The "violent silence" of the fields evokes an unsettling sense of unease, suggesting that even in moments of apparent tranquility, there is an undercurrent of potential conflict or disturbance.

A Kiss of Acceptance: Finding Intimacy Amidst the Unsettling

The poem concludes with a simple yet powerful image: "Then you will slowly kiss me." This act of intimacy offers a moment of connection and acceptance amidst the unsettling landscape and the darker themes explored earlier in the poem. It suggests that even in the face of fear, prejudice, and mortality, human connection remains possible. The kiss can be seen as a symbol of solace, resilience, and a reaffirmation of life in the face of death. It offers a final note of hope, albeit one tempered by the poem's overall complexity and unsettling imagery.