Sunday, October 18, 2009

i like my body by e. e. cummings

Reclining Nude from Back, 1917 by Amedeo Modigliani

i like my body
by e. e. cummings

i like my body when it is with your
body. It is so quite a new thing.
Muscles better and nerves more.
i like your body. i like what it does,
i like its hows. i like to feel the spine
of your body and its bones, and the trembling-
firm-smooth ness and which I will
again and again and again
kiss, i like kissing this and that of you,
i like, slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz
of your electric fur, and what-is-it comes
over parting flesh...And eyes big love-crumbs,
and possibly i like the thrill
of under me you quite so new.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Amadeo Modigliana is one of my favorite artists and his nude painting fits perfectly with one of my favorite poems by e. e. cummings. I first read this poem when I was 16 years old and instantly fell in love with Mr. Cummings. I'm working my way though all 1102 pages of his "Complete Poems 1904 - 1962" and it's been an education in itself.

Peace, Love & Blessings,

~ * ~ Marion ~ * *

A poet looks at the world the way a man looks at a woman. ~Wallace Stevens, Opus Posthumous, 1957

"It is the job of poetry to clean up our word-clogged reality by creating silences around things." ~Stephen Mallarme

"Wanted: a needle swift enough to sew this poem into a blanket." ~Charles Simic

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for." ~Dead Poet's Society



10 comments:

Karen said...

This is sensuous in an ee cummings way - animal and human and childlike. Great pairing with Modigliani.

Wine and Words said...

Muscles better and nerves more. Exactly! And the music makes me want to get up and dance cheek to cheek. Only me and the dog today. Oh, well... "Tootsie, come here sweet puppy..." Yeah, she's like 300 in dog years, but will always be my puppy.

I loved the Mallarme quote...to create a silence around things. And that's how it is with a good post you know? You sit back in this silent moment of transformation and gratification, soaking it in. Mood altered, outlook challenged, mercy granted, or hand slapped...whatever.

Kelly said...

I don't think I've ever seen this poem before. It's not like any I've read by him and I like it!

Here Comes the Sun is what started playing when I came here. How appropriate!

Marion said...

Glad y'all enjoyed the poem and the Modigliani and music. I guess it's a bit racy because I lost a follower! Ha! Hey, it's ART! It got cold here and it feels so good today with the sun shining! Wishing you all a happy Sunday! Blessings!

TheChicGeek said...

I love this post, Marion. Modigliani is one of my favorite artists and E.E.Cummings words fit perfectly! Love the quotes too :D I've always loved Cummings stories but never read his poems. I am definitely going to check them out. I had no idea he had such sensuality in him!

What would our world be without poetry, music and art?
Thanks for sharing this with us today and thank you so much for your kind words to me both while I was away and upon my return. I'm very happy to know you and call you a friend!

Have a Happy Sunday, Marion!
Big Hug <3

Anonymous said...

I love my body too but I love this Poem more.

Marion said...

Thanks, ChickGeek. You're in for a treat when you read Cummings' poetry. It's amazing. I'm happy to call you friend, too. Blessings!

Saraha! I'm so glad you stopped by and enjoyed the poem. Love & Blessings, my poet-friend!!!!

Phoenix said...

YAY! Another ee cummings poem! That's two in one day that I've read in blog posts today :)

::happy dance::

Judith Ellis said...

Modigliani is wonderful; e.e. cummings' love. Beautiful, Marion.

quid said...

Oh, how I loved this!

quid