Poem Analysis - When You Went Away It Was Morning

Morning's Departure: A World Transformed

E.E. Cummings' "When You Went Away It Was Morning" is a poem of contrasting images and sensations. It begins with a stark, almost grotesque, portrayal of the world left behind after a lover's departure, then shifts into a sensuous and intimate remembrance. The tone moves from detached observation to one of longing and playful eroticism. The poem captures the jarring juxtaposition between external reality and internal experience when dealing with loss and the bittersweet memories that linger.

The Loss and the Landscape

The opening stanzas paint a vivid, unpleasant picture of the world after the departure. "Big horses," "light feeling up streets," and the almost cartoonish image of "heels taking derbies" suggest a world continuing indifferently. The "pup hurriedly hunched over swill" and the "snickering shop doors" contribute to a sense of bleakness and almost cynical observation. These images emphasize the theme of isolation. The speaker is left alone in a world that is both bustling and uncaring, a world that feels distinctly less vibrant without their lover.

Erotic Memory and Healing

The second half of the poem marks a significant shift in tone and imagery. The speaker recalls an intimate moment, using evocative language to describe the lover's presence. Phrases like "a sharp agreeable flower between my amused legs" and "kissing with little dints of april" are undeniably sensual and speak to the theme of love and desire. The lover's actions are described as playful and healing, "making the obscene shy breasts tickle, laughing when I wilt and wince." This suggests a connection that is both physically stimulating and emotionally comforting, a memory that helps to counteract the emptiness of the present. This erotic memory is a source of comfort and possibly even resilience in the face of loss.

Symbols of Absence and Presence

The poem is rich in symbolic imagery. The "morning" itself, typically associated with new beginnings, is tainted by the departure, becoming a symbol of loss. The initial images of the city represent the cold, indifferent world left behind. In contrast, the "flower" becomes a symbol of the lover’s presence, not physically but in memory. Its placement and the actions associated with it symbolize intimacy, healing, and pleasure. The word "april" itself evokes a sense of spring, renewal, and new life, further reinforcing the idea of the lover as a source of joy and vitality. One might interpret the “sharp agreeable flower” also as a metaphor for the bittersweet nature of memory; the pleasure of remembering is tinged with the sharpness of absence.

The Enduring Power of Intimacy

In conclusion, "When You Went Away It Was Morning" is a poignant exploration of loss and the enduring power of memory. The poem juxtaposes the cold, indifferent world with the warmth and intimacy of a past relationship. The use of stark imagery in the opening stanzas contrasts with the sensual language of the later stanzas, highlighting the shift from present desolation to cherished memories. Ultimately, the poem suggests that even in the face of absence, the memory of love and intimacy can provide comfort and a sense of connection, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the surrounding bleakness.