Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Songs: 5," E.E. Cummings presents a surreal and enigmatic scene that blends elements of dream, fantasy, and the complexities of desire. The poem, with its cryptic imagery and rhythmic language, invites multiple interpretations, each layer revealing more about the themes of control, possession, and the tensions between the physical and emotional aspects of love.

The poem opens with the image of "Doll's boy" asleep "under a stile," a quiet, almost pastoral setting. The reference to "Doll's boy" suggests a figure that is delicate, perhaps vulnerable, much like a doll. The fact that he is asleep under a stile—a small structure that allows people but not animals to pass—adds to the sense of a boundary between worlds, a liminal space where reality and dream intermingle.

The poem then introduces a procession of "eight and twenty ladies in a line," a surreal image that suggests a ritualistic or ceremonial atmosphere. These ladies, who seem to exist in the realm of the boy's dream, each take turns speaking, creating a pattern of dialogue that conveys different aspects of their intentions or desires concerning the boy.

The first lady speaks to "nine ladies" and remarks that "his lips drink water / but his heart drinks wine." This line is rich in metaphorical meaning, suggesting a division between the boy's outward appearance and his inner desires. Water, often associated with purity and life, contrasts with wine, which symbolizes passion, intoxication, and perhaps deeper, more complex emotions. The boy may appear innocent or simple on the surface, but his heart is engaged in something far more profound and intense.

The tenth lady continues the theme of control, saying to the nine ladies that "they must chain his foot / for his wrist's too fine." This line introduces the idea of physical restraint, implying that the boy cannot be controlled or possessed by ordinary means. The "fine" wrist suggests delicacy or perhaps a kind of beauty that resists confinement, requiring the ladies to take more drastic measures to hold onto him.

The nineteenth lady adds another layer of possessiveness, telling the nine ladies, "you take his mouth / for his eyes are mine." Here, the boy is metaphorically divided, with different parts of him claimed by different women. The mouth, often associated with communication and expression, is contrasted with the eyes, which are typically linked to perception and the soul. The lady's claim over his eyes implies a deeper, more personal connection, while the mouth is left to others, perhaps signifying that she wants to keep his inner self to herself while allowing the outer expression to be shared.

The poem closes by returning to the image of "Doll's boy" asleep under the stile, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the scene. The final lines, "for every mile the feet go / the heart goes nine," suggest a disparity between physical distance and emotional depth. The heart's journey is much longer and more intense than the mere steps taken by the feet, indicating that emotional experiences far outweigh physical actions.

"Songs: 5" is a haunting and evocative poem that explores themes of desire, possession, and the complex dynamics between the physical and emotional realms. Through its dreamlike imagery and enigmatic dialogue, Cummings delves into the ways in which people seek to control and divide aspects of love and affection, while also highlighting the deep, often unspoken, emotional currents that drive these interactions. The poem leaves readers with a sense of mystery, as it gestures toward deeper truths that lie just beyond the grasp of conscious understanding.

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