Poem Analysis - Voices To Voices Lip To Lip

Introduction: An Embrace of Life's Impermanence

E.E. Cummings' "Voices To Voices, Lip To Lip" is a vibrant celebration of life's fleeting moments and the power of immediate experience. The poem pulses with a defiant joy, urging a rejection of sterile logic and an embrace of sensory pleasure. Its tone is both passionate and playful, oscillating between declarations of love and irreverent dismissals of intellectual pursuits. This is a poem that champions feeling over thought, instinct over analysis, and the ephemeral over the eternal.

Historical Context: A Rejection of Industrialization

E.E. Cummings wrote in the early to mid-20th century, a period marked by rapid industrialization and technological advancement. "Voices to Voices, Lip to Lip" reflects a common sentiment among artists of the time: a distrust of machinery and a longing for a more organic, natural way of life. The poem's contrast between "flowers" and "machinery" underscores this tension. Cummings often critiqued societal norms and valued individualism and emotional experience. This poem fits into that overall theme that is present in his works.

Thematic Exploration: Love, Transience, and Anti-Intellectualism

Three major themes interweave throughout the poem: love, transience, and a rejection of cold intellect. The opening lines, "voices to voices, lip to lip," immediately establish the importance of physical and emotional connection. This love, however, is presented against the backdrop of mortality. The poem repeatedly acknowledges the fleeting nature of existence, emphasizing that these moments are "for a little while." Finally, Cummings positions himself against intellectualism, stating "not for philosophy does this rose give a damn..." which highlight his view that natural beauty needs no justification from reason or logic.

Recurring Imagery: Flowers and Machines

The poem utilizes potent imagery, most notably the contrasting symbols of flowers and machines. Flowers represent natural beauty, sensory pleasure, and the fleeting nature of life. They are "guess[ing] and miss[ing]," implying an imperfect, intuitive understanding of the world. In contrast, machinery embodies logic, precision, and a potentially dehumanizing force. While the poem acknowledges the effectiveness of machines ("it delivers the goods, Heaven knows"), it ultimately prioritizes the imperfect beauty and immediate experience symbolized by flowers, implicitly arguing that these are more valuable to the human spirit.

The Symbolism of Spring: A Season of Potential

The poem mentions the season of Spring, bringing up the months of "April" and "May," and introduces the imagery of flowers, allusions to this season. Spring often symbolizes rebirth, growth, and new beginnings. However, Cummings twists this traditional symbolism slightly. While acknowledging the potential of spring, he also seems to imply that even the beauty of this season can be measured, analyzed, and ultimately ruined by a purely scientific or intellectual approach. The poem's concluding lines suggest a rebellion against this potential objectification, urging readers to "eat flower and not to be afraid," that is, to embrace the beauty and joy of the present moment without fear of intellectual scrutiny or eventual decay.

Conclusion: Defiant Joy in the Face of Impermanence

In conclusion, "Voices To Voices, Lip To Lip" is a powerful ode to the ephemeral nature of love and life. Through vivid imagery, a playful tone, and a clear rejection of overly analytical thought, Cummings encourages readers to embrace sensory experiences, to connect with one another, and to find joy in the present moment. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with the universal human desire for connection and meaning, even amidst the awareness of our own mortality. Ultimately, it's a call to truly live, to experience fully, and to value the beauty and passion that make life worth living, regardless of its transience.