Happy Birthday, E. E. Cummings! The American poet was born in Cambridge, MA on October 14, 1894. Today, in his honor, I’m sharing two of my favorite E. E. Cummings poems: “anyone lived in a pretty how town” and “You are tired”. The first one is best read aloud to truly appreciate the rhythm of his words and the second is perfect for quiet contemplation.
anyone lived in a pretty how town
anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn’t he danced his did.
Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone’s any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
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Today, we mourn the loss of one of this world’s greatest authors and poets, Maya Angelou. In her honor, I’m sharing the beautiful quote above and one of my favorite poems, “Phenomenal Woman”. The poem, published in her 1978 collection And Still I Rise, is so incredibly powerful and moving, like all of her writing. First, read the poem then listen to Maya read it in the video below.
Rest in peace, Maya Angelou.