Poem Analysis - Snow

A Fleeting Impression of Ephemeral Beauty

E.E. Cummings's "Snow" is a fleeting, impressionistic poem that captures the delicate and transient nature of a snowfall. The poem feels light and airy, mimicking the way snow drifts and falls. While there isn't a heavy emotional tone, there's a sense of wonder and a quiet observation of nature's beauty. The poem seems to embrace brevity and fragmentation, reflecting the fleeting moments that the snow presents.

Themes of Transience and Transformation

One of the main themes of "Snow" is transience. The poem's fragmented language and irregular capitalization and spacing visually represent the fleeting nature of snowflakes as they fall and melt. Words are broken apart, like "FLUTTERFULLY" and "lyful," suggesting the ephemeral quality of the snow's presence. Another theme is transformation. The snow transforms the landscape, covering it in a blanket of white. The lines "ArE/GLIB SCARCELYEST AMONGS FLOWERING" suggest the snow has concealed what was previously visible – perhaps flowers – creating a temporary, altered reality. Finally, there is a subtle theme of contrast. The phrase "CRINGE WITHS/lilt" juxtaposes a negative emotion ("cringe") with a joyful one ("lilt"), hinting at the dual nature of winter: its harshness and its beauty.

The Symbolic Weight of Birds and Flowers

The poem contains potent imagery, including references to "BIRDS" and "FLOWERING." Birds, typically associated with freedom and flight, appear in a somewhat restricted context: "(s/r/BIRDS BECAUSE AGAINS/emarkable/s)h?" This fragmented phrase suggests the birds are somehow affected by or reacting against the snow, perhaps seeking shelter or food. The "FLOWERING" elements, now "GLIB SCARCELYEST AMONGS" (barely existing among the snow), represent life and vibrancy obscured or temporarily suspended by the winter weather. These images highlight the temporary dominance of the snow over the existing natural world.

Decoding "s/r" and Unveiling Ambiguity

One of the most intriguing elements of the poem is the fragment "(s/r/BIRDS BECAUSE AGAINS/emarkable/s)h?". The "s/r" seems to be a merging of sounds - perhaps indicating the way the wind or snow is affecting the birds’ movements or calls. One interpretation of this is that "s" represents the sound of the wind and "r" representing the sound of the birds in reaction of it. The overall question could be: Is this phrase describing the birds struggle against the winter, or is it hinting at something more profound about the relationship between nature and adversity?

Final Throughts: A Momentary Masterpiece

In conclusion, "Snow" is a delicate and visually striking poem that captures the transient beauty of a snowfall. Through its fragmented language, vivid imagery, and subtle symbolism, Cummings invites us to contemplate the fleeting nature of beauty, the transformative power of nature, and the delicate balance between life and dormancy. Ultimately, the poem is a momentary masterpiece, reflecting the ephemeral and profound beauty of a single snowflake.