POEMS: 1923-1954

by E. E. Cummings ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 25, 1954

Here is the collected poetry of the Enfant Terrible of American letters. But E. E. Cummings is more than that; he is also the best living writer of lyrics in America, except perhaps Robert Frost. And he is almost the only American poet who has made a real contribution to love poetry. But for some reason, the collected poetical works of Cummings are not as satisfactory as Cummings taken piece-meal, in individual volumes. There are many poems in this volume, and many of them repeat the same ideas with the same imagery. It is easy to list this poet's likes and dislikes, for he is nothing if not vehemently articulate. He hates academicians, Russian revolutionaries, anti-semites, intolerance and prudery. He likes spring, Paris, New York, to epater le bourgeois with a naughty lechery, and he loves all generosity and affirmation in people and the universe. Nothing much need be said about his eccentricities of typography and punctuation. To anyone who takes the time to decipher them, it is clear that he has been influenced by cubist techniques in painting. These poems, carefully read, make perfectly clear sense- and many of them will arouse the highest measure of appreciation.

Pub Date: Oct. 25, 1954

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1954

Categories: NONFICTION