Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "What a Proud Dreamhorse," E.E. Cummings creates a vivid and surreal scene that captures the chaotic energy and beauty of a city, infused with the dreamlike imagery of a "proud dreamhorse" pulling through this bustling urban environment. The poem, like much of Cummings' work, challenges conventional syntax and punctuation, creating a rhythm and flow that mirror the movement of the horse and the vibrancy of the city.

The poem begins with the image of the "proud dreamhorse," a mythical or fantastical creature that suggests both strength and grace. The dreamhorse is described as "pulling(smoothloomingly)through," indicating a fluid, almost effortless movement through the city. The use of the word "smoothloomingly" combines "smoothly" and "looming," evoking a sense of majesty and presence as the horse navigates the urban landscape.

The city itself is depicted as "crazily seething" and "raving," words that convey intense activity and noise. The "screamingly street" suggests a place filled with sound and motion, a living entity in its own right. Despite the chaos, the street is also described as "wonderful," indicating that there is beauty to be found within the madness.

Cummings then shifts focus to the light in the city: "o the Light thrown by Them opens / sharp holes in dark places." This light has a transformative power, illuminating the city's dark corners and bringing new perspectives. It "paints eyes touches hands with newness," suggesting that the light has a renewing, almost magical quality that changes how people see and interact with the world around them.

The poem's imagery becomes even more dynamic as Cummings describes "startled whats" and "squirm-of-frightened shy are whichs small." These lines are filled with sensory experiences, where "whats" and "whichs" could represent thoughts, feelings, or people who are overwhelmed or surprised by the sights and sounds around them. The juxtaposition of "startled" and "frightened" with "shy" and "small" creates a sense of vulnerability within the city’s intensity.

The line "its hungry for Is for Love Spring thirsty for happens / only and beautiful" encapsulates a longing for something more profound and meaningful—perhaps a desire for love, renewal (Spring), and the spontaneous beauty that "happens" in life. Cummings often explores the themes of love and the transient nature of beauty, and here, he links them to the dreamhorse's journey through the city, suggesting that these ideals are what the city and its inhabitants yearn for.

The poem then introduces a new character: "there is a ragged beside the who limps / man crying silence upward." This figure contrasts sharply with the vibrant city, representing a moment of stillness and perhaps sorrow or reflection amidst the surrounding chaos. The "man crying silence upward" may be seeking solace or understanding, his "silence" standing in stark contrast to the city's noise.

The poem closes with an exuberant scene: "to have tasted Beautiful to have known / Only to have smelled Happens-skip dance kids hop point at / red blue yellow violet white orange greenness." These lines are filled with the joy of experiencing life’s simple pleasures—colors, movement, and the sensory delights of the city. The description of children dancing and pointing at the vibrant colors suggests a celebration of life and the beauty that surrounds them.

Finally, the dreamhorse reappears, "moving(whose feet / almost walk air)." This image reinforces the dreamlike quality of the horse, as if it is not entirely bound by the physical world. The poem ends with the horse coming to a stop, "Smiles.he / stamps." The smile and the stamping of the horse's foot suggest a moment of satisfaction or approval, as if the horse is acknowledging the beauty and wonder it has just traversed.

In "What a Proud Dreamhorse," Cummings blends surreal imagery with a celebration of life’s fleeting moments of beauty and wonder. The poem captures the intensity of the city while also finding grace within its chaos. Through the metaphor of the dreamhorse, Cummings explores the idea that even in the midst of noise and confusion, there is a transcendent beauty to be found—a beauty that is both powerful and ephemeral.

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