Poem Analysis - Now What Were Motionless Move

An Ode to Love's Transcendence

E.E. Cummings' "now what were motionless move" is a celebration of love's transformative power, specifically its ability to elevate lovers beyond the mundane. The poem is suffused with a playful, almost whimsical tone, initially presenting the "miracle" of feeling before escalating into a declaration of love's supremacy over earthly constraints. There's a sense of hushed awe combined with bold defiance against the ordinary. The shift occurs gradually, beginning with a sense of humble observation and ending in a triumphant ascent above the limitations of time and fate.

Defying the Limits of the Physical World

One of the poem's central themes is the transcendence of love, its capacity to surpass the limitations of the physical world. Cummings accomplishes this through imagery of movement and elevation. The poem opens with the idea that even the "motionless move," the simplest act of feeling, is a miracle. The subsequent description of the lovers "dance[ing]" and rising "high(are become more than alive)above / anybody and fate" reinforces this theme. The use of parentheses to embed phrases enhances this sense of upward movement, both visually and rhythmically mirroring the lovers' ascent. The parasol given to "your fear" becomes a symbolic tool that allows her to "walk in the air above people" showing how even negative emotions can be overcome and transformed by love.

Love as a Counterforce to Negativity

Another prevailing theme is love's role as a counterforce to negativity and fear. The "fear" mentioned in the poem is personified and given a parasol, a symbol of protection and perhaps also of delicate artificiality. By giving this "fear" a parasol, the speaker isn't eliminating fear but acknowledging it and providing a means to navigate the world despite it. Love, then, becomes a shield against the harsh realities of life. The dismissal of "to-morrow and yesterday and everything except love" further emphasizes love's overriding importance, suggesting it is the only truly relevant and lasting force. The implication is that dwelling on the past or future detracts from the present experience of love.

Imagery of Ascent: A Journey Beyond the Mundane

The poem is rich in imagery, especially that of upward movement and lightness. The "leaf" serves as a tangible example of the "first amazement" that love inspires. The image of the lovers dancing "above / anybody and fate" is particularly striking, conveying a sense of liberation and defiance against the forces that typically govern human existence. The idea of "almost breathing me" suggests a merging of identities within the experience of love, almost as if the individual self is transcended. Is this a suggestion that love creates an entirely new entity out of two people or merely a hyperbole highlighting the strength of the connection?

Love's Enduring Significance

In conclusion, "now what were motionless move" is a concise and powerful exploration of love's ability to elevate and transform. Through its playful tone, evocative imagery, and dismissal of temporal concerns, Cummings suggests that love is the ultimate miracle, capable of transcending fear, fate, and the limitations of the physical world. The poem's significance lies in its reminder that love, in its purest form, can offer a sense of freedom and escape, allowing us to dance above the ordinary.