if everything happens that can't be done (LIV)
if everything happens that can't be done
(and anything's righter
than books
could plan)
the stupidest teacher will almost guess
(with a run
skip
around we go yes)
there's nothing as something as one
one hasn't a why or because or although
(and buds know better
than books
don't grow)
one's anything old being everything new
(with a what
which
around we go who)
one's everyanything so
so world is a leaf is a tree is a bough
(and birds sing sweeter
than books
tell how)
so here is away and so your is a my
(with a down
up
around again fly)
forever was never till now
now i love you and you love me
(and books are shutter
than books
can be)
and deep in the high that does nothing but fall
(with a shout
each
around we go all)
there's somebody calling who's we
we're everything brighter than even the sun
(we're everything greater
than books
might mean)
we're everyanything more than believe
(with a spin
leap
alive we're alive)
we're wonderful one times one
Commentary
Pretty format:
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/eecummings/ifeverything.shtml
My comments:
I’ve always had a strong urge to play ring-around-the-rosy while reading this because of the strong rhythm (dare I say ‘meter’?) and the second parenthetical sections in each stanza. Physically it’s one of Cummings’ easier poems to read – or stick in an email, for that matter. At the same time it has many of his hallmark constructions - “everyanything”, odd syntax (“deep in the high that does nothing but fall”), and striking free verse enjambment.
The last stanza is my favorite, and brings me back time & again. I especially like the closing “one times one” – an effective description of the ‘two become one’ idea behind marriage (and many love affairs), carrying the idea of multiplication while still emphasizing unity.
— Kimbol