Poem Analysis - Puella Mea

Introduction: An Ode to Living Beauty

E.E. Cummings' "Puella Mea" is a passionate and effusive declaration of love, a vibrant celebration of a living woman that elevates her above all historical and legendary beauties. The poem possesses an intensely personal and somewhat arrogant tone, dismissing the celebrated figures of the past in favor of the speaker's present love. This devotion is expressed through a torrent of vivid imagery and hyperbolic comparisons. While the poem begins with a confident assertion, it delves into moments of vulnerable awe and a fear of loss, creating a dynamic emotional landscape.

Theme: Transcendence of Present Love

The primary theme of "Puella Mea" is the transcendence of present love over all past ideals. The speaker repeatedly contrasts his "lady" with famous figures from history and mythology: Sheba, Salomé, Isoud, Guenever, Grania, Helen, Medea, Cleopatra, Semiramis. He directly addresses the lovers associated with these women – Harun, Omar, Hafiz, Diarmid, Paris, Solomon – challenging their perception of beauty by stating "keep your dead beautiful ladies." This bold declaration emphasizes that his love surpasses any historical precedent. The use of these historical figures serves to illustrate the timelessness of beauty and love, but ultimately reinforces the poem's central argument that the speaker's current love is unique and superior.

Symbolism: The "Living" Lady

The poem is saturated with symbolic imagery that emphasizes the living, breathing nature of the speaker's beloved. She is consistently associated with symbols of springtime and new life, described as having "April feet like sudden flowers" and a body "filled with May." This connection to the season of renewal highlights her vitality and contrasts sharply with the "dead beauties" of the past. Furthermore, the comparison of her body to "roses and ivory" evokes both delicate beauty and enduring strength. The recurrent image of the "flower" symbolizes her fragility and purity, but also her ability to inspire awe and wonder in the speaker.

Theme: The Power of Presence and Ephemerality

Another significant theme is the interplay between presence and ephemerality. The speaker acknowledges the fleeting nature of beauty and life, recognizing his lady as "frail" and "perishable." However, it is precisely this delicate nature that makes her so captivating. The lines, "If she a little turn her head / I know that I am wholly dead," highlight his vulnerability and dependence on her attention. He is both empowered and weakened by her presence. Even the idea of her voice as a "vocal fern" underscores the fragility of beauty, ferns being plants that quickly wither. The poem celebrates the intensity of the present moment, acknowledging its transient nature.

Imagery: The Voice of Dream

The poem is abundant with vivid imagery. The "vocal fern," mentioned in connection with the lady’s voice, is especially potent. It grows "beside the vivid magical / impetuous and utter ponds / of dream." This imagery suggests that her voice is a gateway to a world of imagination and possibility. The "impetuous and utter ponds of dream" evoke a sense of boundless creativity and subconscious depths. The description of her voice as a "furtive occult fragrance" further emphasizes its intangible, almost mystical quality. The sensory imagery surrounding her voice creates a dreamlike atmosphere, suggesting that she inspires not just love but also artistic creation and profound spiritual experiences.

Theme: Poetic Inspiration and Forgiveness

A subtle but important theme is the power and inadequacy of language to capture true beauty. The speaker acknowledges this directly in the lines, "Love! -- maker of my lady, / in that alway beyond this / poem or any poem she / of whose body words are afraid / perfectly beautiful is, / forgive these words which I have made." This admission reveals a sense of humility amidst the otherwise boastful tone. He recognizes that language, even the carefully crafted language of poetry, can never fully encompass the essence of her beauty. This sentiment also explains the poem's intense imagery and hyperbole. He uses an abundance of poetic devices, because simple language cannot capture his love.

Conclusion: A Timeless Declaration

"Puella Mea" is more than just a love poem; it is a passionate and defiant artistic statement. Through its vibrant imagery, audacious comparisons, and acknowledgement of love's fragility, Cummings crafts a timeless declaration of devotion. The poem champions the power of present experience over the weight of history, celebrating the unique and irreplaceable beauty of the living woman who inspires the speaker's art. In the end, the poem's significance lies not only in its extravagant praise but also in its recognition of the limitations of language to fully capture the essence of true beauty.