Poem Analysis - I Will Wade Out

Introduction: A Sensual Immersion

E.E. Cummings' "I Will Wade Out" is a poem of intense sensuality and transformation. It evokes a feeling of ecstatic surrender, a willingness to fully embrace experience, even if it leads to a confrontation with the unknown. The poem begins with a sense of active immersion and evolves into a feeling of being reborn and altered. While the initial tone is fervent and passionate, it shifts to a more reflective and almost mystical contemplation of self and the universe.

Theme of Transformation: The Rebirth of Self

A central theme in "I Will Wade Out" is the idea of transformation and rebirth. The speaker is not simply experiencing nature, but undergoing a fundamental change through that experience. The imagery of "wading out" and being "steeped in burning flowers" suggests a deliberate act of submerging oneself in a potent, transformative element. The line, "After a thousand years/lipping/flowers," strongly implies a lengthy period of dormancy or change, followed by a re-emergence into a new state of being. The closing image of setting "teeth in the silver of the moon" reinforces this sense of complete, even aggressive, absorption of the world into the self, suggesting a fundamental alteration of the speaker's essence.

The Embrace of Sensuality: Experiencing the World

The poem is saturated with sensory details, emphasizing the theme of sensuality. The speaker actively seeks to experience the world through touch ("thighs are steeped"), taste ("take the sun in my mouth"), and sight ("dash against darkness"). The phrase "burning flowers" is particularly evocative, combining the beauty of flowers with the intensity of fire. The "sleeping curves of my body" suggests a dormant potential awakened through experience. This embrace of sensuality is not merely about pleasure; it's about a deeper connection to the self and the surrounding world, a willingness to experience the full spectrum of life.

Confronting the Unknown: Darkness and Mastery

The poem hints at a confrontation with the unknown, a descent into "darkness." This isn't necessarily a negative darkness, but rather an unexplored realm of the self. The speaker is "Alive/with closed eyes," suggesting a trust in inner experience rather than external perception. The "fingers of smooth mastery" entering this darkness imply a guiding force, perhaps intuition or a connection to something larger than the self. The "chasteness of sea-girls" adds an interesting layer, suggesting purity and innocence combined with a powerful, almost mythical, control. Is this mastery self-imposed, or guided by an external force? This question remains open, adding to the poem's mystique.

Imagery: Flowers and the Moon

Flowers and the moon act as potent symbols. Flowers, especially "burning flowers," represent beauty, passion, and the transformative power of nature. The repeated image of flowers reinforces the sensuality and the cycle of death and rebirth. The moon, "silver," is often associated with mystery, intuition, and the feminine principle. Setting "teeth in the silver of the moon" suggests an aggressive taking of this power, a claiming of intuition and connection to the unknown. It is a final, assertive act of transformation and self-discovery.

Conclusion: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In conclusion, "I Will Wade Out" is a powerful exploration of transformation and self-discovery through intense sensory experience. Cummings uses vivid imagery and evocative language to convey a journey into the self, a willingness to embrace the unknown, and a rebirth into a new state of being. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and a reminder of the potential for profound change that lies within us all.