Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Sonnets - Actualities: 24," E.E. Cummings offers a sensual and intimate exploration of physical love, capturing the speaker's deep appreciation for the lover's body and the profound connection that physical intimacy creates. The poem, structured as a sonnet, is characterized by its direct, unembellished language and its celebration of the tactile pleasures of the body.

The poem opens with a simple, declarative statement: "i like my body when it is with your / body." This straightforward expression sets the tone for the entire sonnet, emphasizing the speaker's genuine and unpretentious affection for the physical aspects of love. The repetition of "i like" throughout the poem reinforces this feeling of satisfaction and pleasure.

The speaker continues by describing this experience as "so quite new a thing." The use of "new" suggests a sense of discovery and freshness in the physical connection, as though the act of being with the lover's body brings about a renewed awareness of the speaker's own body. This idea of newness is tied to the uniqueness of the lover's body and the specific ways in which it interacts with the speaker's own.

Cummings delves into the physical sensations experienced during intimacy, noting that the speaker's "muscles better and nerves more" when in contact with the lover's body. This line suggests that physical connection enhances the speaker's sense of vitality and sensitivity, heightening the awareness of their own body.

The poem then shifts focus to the lover's body: "i like your body. i like what it does, / i like its hows." This line emphasizes the speaker's admiration not just for the physical form of the lover's body, but also for the way it moves and responds during intimacy. The phrase "its hows" suggests an appreciation for the subtleties of the lover's movements and reactions, further deepening the connection between the two.

The speaker expresses a desire to "feel the spine / of your body and its bones, and the trembling / -firm-smooth ness." This imagery evokes a tactile exploration of the lover's body, highlighting the contrasts between firmness and smoothness, and the tremors of excitement or anticipation. The hyphenated "firm-smooth ness" captures the complexity of these sensations, blending firmness with softness in a way that is both physical and emotional.

The repetition of "again and again and again" underscores the speaker's desire to repeatedly experience the pleasure of being with the lover's body. This repetition conveys a sense of urgency and longing, as if the speaker cannot get enough of the physical connection.

The sonnet continues with the speaker's fondness for kissing "this and that" of the lover's body, emphasizing the tactile and exploratory nature of their intimacy. The phrase "slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz / of your electric fur" introduces a playful and slightly surreal image, with "electric fur" suggesting both the lover's hair and the charged, electric sensation of touch. The "shocking fuzz" might refer to the surprising, almost electric thrill that comes from touching the lover's body.

As the poem progresses, the speaker hints at the profound impact of this physical connection: "what-is-it comes / over parting flesh." This line suggests a moment of transcendent feeling or emotion that arises during intimacy, something difficult to define but deeply powerful. The phrase "parting flesh" implies both the physical separation and the deeper emotional connection that is formed through the act of intimacy.

The final lines of the sonnet—"And eyes big love-crumbs, / and possibly i like the thrill / of under me you so quite new"—bring the poem to a tender and intimate conclusion. The image of "eyes big love-crumbs" evokes a sense of vulnerability and affection, as if the lover's eyes are filled with small, delicate pieces of love. The speaker then acknowledges the "thrill" of being with the lover in such an intimate and personal way, with the phrase "under me you so quite new" suggesting a mutual sense of discovery and renewal through their physical connection.

In "Sonnets - Actualities: 24," Cummings celebrates the physical aspects of love with a sense of wonder and appreciation. The poem's focus on the tactile, sensory experiences of intimacy highlights the deep connection between the speaker and the lover, capturing the way that physical love can renew and invigorate the self. Through its direct language and vivid imagery, the sonnet conveys the joy and satisfaction that comes from exploring and being with another's body in a deeply personal and affectionate way.

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