E. E. Cummings

Suppose

Suppose - meaning Summary

Life and Death Converse

The poem contrasts images of Life and Death to explore identity, desire, and uncertainty. Life appears as an old man balancing flowers, while Death is young and casual in a café. The speaker asks a silent beloved whether Death will buy flowers; she hesitates, sensing someone else. The final figure, named Afterwards, sits with Death and also likes flowers, suggesting a blurring of endings and continuities beyond simple oppositions.

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suppose Life is an old man carrying flowers on his head. young death sits in a cafe smiling, a pierce of money held between his thumb and first finger (i say "will he buy flowers" to you and "Death is young life wears velour trousers life totters, life has a beard" i say to you who are silent.--"Do you see Life? he is there and here, or that, or this or nothing or an old man 3 thirds asleep, on his head flowers, always crying to nobody something about les roses les bluets yes, will He buy? Les belles bottes--oh hear , pas cheres") and my love slowly answered I think so. But I think I see someone else there is a lady, whose name is Afterwards she is sitting beside young death, is slender; likes flowers.

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