How E.E. Cummings Writes A Poem

[@WisecrackEDU]

So beautiful and so well done. Thanks for the shout-out!

[@TheJaredtheJaredlong]

I always underestimate how complex poetry can be.

[@EisforEvil]

+TheJaredtheJaredlong And this is a simple one...

[@AnstonMusic]

+TheJaredtheJaredlong I always underestimate how smart people can make stuff seem more deep than it was actually intended through elaborate interpretation.

[@Irishatheist24]

+Anston [Music] i feel like this is done more often than not

[@TheJaredtheJaredlong]

Anston [Music] Here's the thing: I used to think the same way, but I've come around to a different perspective. There's a pervasive thought that analysis shouldn't be greater than intention, but understanding intention is *not* the point of analysis. Analysis is an exercise of defining. E. E. Cummings might have very well written that poem in couple of hours with minimal thought. That's not the point. The point, is that it's a poem that has become popular, so the point of the analysis is to try to understand *why* it has become popular. There's infinite poetry in the world, so why does this one stand out? What about this poem is "good"? Why do people like it? What about it is resonating with people? By breaking the poem down and inspecting it's parts, we can come to a better understanding of what makes good poetry so that we can then apply those revelations to creating new poetry.

[@AnstonMusic]

TheJaredtheJaredlong I really agree, and I think that value created by a certain interpretation isn't diminished whether the original creator crafted it or not. It doesn't make my initial statement wrong though. It wasn't meant to be pessimistic.

[@kamaruegabri]

Wow. Your editing just gets better by every video, and this was absolutely brilliant! Poetry is a difficult subject to convey, but you make every word seem so... immediate. Indispensable even. Thanks for the video, bloody loved it.

[@Nerdwriter1]

+kamaruegabri Cheers. I love the challenge of making text interesting.

[@VirtueInsightWebPage]

+Nerdwriter1 Nerwriter, I see videos like this, and I am always in such awe at the dedication and effort poured into your work. It's as if you create a magical realism within the beauty and flavor of your videos. I know this'll purely be my own subjective take, but I think your channel on KZbin is just one of the best! I always look forward to the video essays every Wednesday. keeps me going, keeps me inspired, keeps me dreaming.

[@SomthingFromTheScene]

+DJAndro supersk9 makes a valid point

[@MLSoll]

You are the good part of youtube.

[@angieburrage2421]

A.M Lash I agree

[@angieburrage2421]

A.M Lash I agree.

[@sophiahailye7992]

M.L. Soll so true

[@Zade1536]

Poetry does in a few lines what philosophy does in an entire book. That is an essay I'd like to see. "To know is to possess, & any fact is possessed by everyone who knows it, whereas those who feel the truth are possessed, not possessors" - This is one sentence with more depth than some books in epistemology.

[@delayte0133]

L

[@ryanthomaslabee]

I can't believe the quality of work you put out on a weekly basis... It's inspiring.

[@lanakoh]

I completely agree with you!

[@dwsmilee6]

This was a great video (greatgreatgreat) Video.

[@larryknicks]

Gloriously accurate

[@LaWendeltreppe]

This is a clever (up lifting) comment. :)

[@Hugo411]

david. lose that capital T and V to enhance the comment.

[@BillMoodyTutorLeeds]

Bringing an algebra approach for a moment, the brackets can be multiplied out by the phrase before them. And as the key words, heart, fate, world, are repeated in the brackets they are effectively squared. Thanks for a brilliant video. Much appreciated.

[@lola1987fudgeyouu]

Bill Moody that's smart

[@d.c.3346]

crying

[@rosianna]

I had to come back and rewatch this today because it's so, so good.

[@zr8393]

me too

[@MoonAlongMyHead]

Same here. :)

[@hardcoredoom5892]

It’s aite.

[@misa1514]

Same

[@ReginaFera]

Uff, incredible. You gave a poem I had a passing interest in and just gave it far more depth than I could ever have imagined. It's almost as if the poetry gained a life of its own as I learned more and more about it. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@lwnystudio]

Please let the music at the end go a little bit further so we can have that moment of reflection of whatever that was poured into our minds so beautifully.

[@lwnystudio]

Thanks sir.

[@shessomickey]

This is a wonderful example of what it's like to study literature at college! I'll be keeping this on hand to send to people who wonder what it is we actually do in English departments =)

[@AlanKey86]

E.E. Cummings wouldn't be able to type his poems today - bloody Microsoft Word would autocorrect all his lowercase "i"s

[@Esen99153]

+AlanKey86 Auto-correct is the enemy of experimental literature.

[@MasKistershi]

AlanKey86 - ha! I’m constantly fighting against autocorrect! Truely!

[@beflygelt]

(you do know that you can just turn it off) do you

[@dolphintan4288]

lol

[@JamesOliverLindsey]

MasKistershi it's easy to turn off

[@vincemukiiri6769]

It's so satisfying to watch these videos now remembering the old Vlogs of years back. I remember discovering this channel (with the Free Will video) when it was at about 20k subscribers and thinking, "This is going to be huge". Great job Evan!

[@SamFuller]

A humble suggestion from a fan: I need a slight pause after you present a new idea. I'm usually just grasping the idea you've explored, and then you're mid-sentence into the next one. Maybe I'm slow/alone on this, but if you gave one or two beats after a complex idea, you'd give us chance to better absorb each point. Anyway -- thank you for all this wonderful content.

[@aleHIGHdra]

+Sam Fuller pause it

[@xylaardhiafiorina6844]

That's odd, people usually just bitch about how he puts too much pauses, yadda yadda. You really can't please the audience...

[@jamieculkin]

It's good as it is!

[@conniemartinez3173]

You can always pause the video, but you cannot remove pauses.

[@YawnGod]

"What is love? Baby, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me no more." Greatest poem of all time.

[@keilancolville8806]

E. E Cummings is a favourite of mine, loved that you covered him

[@lukenystrompratt1]

If you do Dead Poets Society, I'll die a happy man.

[@LaWendeltreppe]

And a daily vlog on language and watching movies/pictures etc.

[@ozland7172]

I searched for it on YT and just found it on another channel.. still want to hear it from this channel..

[@hiraltrivedi542]

YES PLEASE

[@wanderingvixenwriter107]

It's really lovely to see someone manage to talk and break down poetry in a way that doesn't make it seem as clinical as it can feel in the many English classes I have taken. I'm glad I was directed to your channel by DKlarations.

[@markusneighbour9971]

Too often, art, emotions, thoughts and ideas are confused and messy for me, but you're videos (and you) have an amazing role of bringing clarity to this confusion. Too often i feel lost and bogged down, and slowly I've been putting together that it is a matter of detachment, and that what i want is to re-attach, to feel present. I re-watched this today, and you're analysis caught me. "to be a truly transcendentally alive individual against the dulling and alienating forces of modern progress". This was it, this is what i want to be attached to, how i want to think. You're word craft said it exactly. So thank you, to the stars and back, for your continued contributions to the clarity of mind. I'm so grateful for it.

[@Sanjay-lw6sy]

This is the first time I read EE Cummings, I am gonna definitely read more of his works, and thank you, your video was beautiful, hope you will make more ☺

[@GexgLalnuna]

can you do some of Neruda's poem?

[@Stephen-uz8dm]

You do a neat thing with this channel. I am naturally of a slightly pessimistic condition and it's stuff like your work that reminds me of the beauty that sometimes comes out of society

[@ihath]

I carry this video with me (I carry it in my mind).

[@akki015]

Watching this again because it's so beautiful the way he explained it. It makes the poem even more precious.

[@paulscarnechia6722]

Oh man!! I heard about you from Wisecrack and I gotta say... This was your first video I watched and I'm absolutely hooked. Cummings is my favorite poet and almost immediately clicked on this video as soon as soon as I saw your channel. Great work! Keep it up :D

[@Jeppe0703]

I really love how you didn't condense the poem to a single idea but instead embraced its ambiguity. After all, it's what makes art (and life) beautiful. Great video, as usual.

[@twintime12]

the reading of this poem makes me feel so warm and complete. it's so soothing and beautiful.

[@levitodd9399]

It's funny to hear people talk about love poetry, and it's ability to transcend, and how uplifting and mystical it can be; then hear the same people turn around and bash movies that mention that same poetic thought about love. I feel like there is a disconnect somewhere there....

[@Nerdwriter1]

+Levi Todd Totally agree.

[@Zenetris]

+Nerdwriter1 If you agree, how come you made that same point in your Interstellar vid? Or are you being sarcastic?

[@polyvinylfilmz]

It seems to me that he finds cummings' poetry to be a more effective vehicle for such sentiments than Interstellar was, not that he is opposed to such sentiments in general. After all, just because a special effects laden blockbuster sci-fi extravaganza chooses to incorporate a poetic view of love doesn't mean it will necessarily do so at all well.

[@Zenetris]

+Polyvinyl Films Fair enough. But although the delivery might've failed, the idea itself was, I think, quite profound when taken in the context of the greater story.

[@levitodd9399]

+Zenetris I mainly meant that as an observation of things I've seen and heard from many people. +Polyvinyl Films I like what you had said, I can see what you mean. Time and place is more than just a saying. I do also agree with what you said, Zenetris, if we are talking about love, there is it's own....*supernatural-ness* to it. No one should really be able to deny that, because the feeling of, and experiencing love is not easy to express. Hence: Poetry (for some).

[@nidroneguy]

I cannot recommend this channel highly enough to people. The subject matter your pick each week is refreshing, unexpected and lasting. You make my Wednesday's :)

[@tiaanengelbrecht9378]

I absolutely love these types of videos, that's why I love Wisecrack as well

[@benjaminpike]

The irony that the parentheses create. Background information being coerced into the foreground is beautiful. The concealed and most implicit of his feelings are laid bare for her to behold. The enjambment used within the parentheses evoke the sense that the writer cannot possibly contain his love. He may have attempted to by enclosing the phrases within the parentheses. Yet, however how hard he tries, he cannot help but let his feelings spill out and overflow, literally within the lines.

[@destroyer841]

E.E. Cummings is one of favorite poets. Thank you so much for doing this video! It made me think of his work in ways I had never thought of.

[@georginaramirez1171]

Love your channel. Thank you for doing what you do. I work as a hospice nurse and this particular video resonated on so many levels. Much respect. Thanks again

[@nwreed]

Gotta say Nerdwritter is just a fantastic show. Wednesday mornings I'm always looking forward to it. The variety, depth, and unique view of topics is unlike any show I've seen on KZbin. Keep it up!

[@jorywoods9514]

As a big E.E. Cummings fan, this video gave me the chills that songs I thought exclusively possessed. Amazing job you're my favorite KZbinr right now keep it up!

[@PogieJoe]

This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful poet.

[@jeffreyharte]

I discovered this channel by Wisecrack's recommendation and I've really been enjoying the sleek, professional, well-researched videos. Not to mention this one, since cummings has long been my favorite poet. Keep up the great work!

[@RustyClantonOfficial]

Enjoyed this so much, brother. Great work as always.

[@william5341]

First of thank you so much for your amazing content. I recently discovered your channel and you've really sparked my interest in art and poems, and you've done it in such a masterful way. Second I interpreted it more as that he sees love as the thing that keeps something that's one apart(it's what keeps the stars as a unity apart, it's what allows something that's one to be apart). Maybe you could even see it as that you and your loved one are supposed to be one and that love is the thing that lets you to be two and finding love is about finding that other part of you. Even though I'm not that much for that last line, I think it's more of what you said that two fragmented selves become one but can still be kept apart(both by love).

[@arieltsai2262]

Your analysis has encapsulated everything I love about Cummings' work.

[@tinoelle5961]

Just linked to this at today's The Optimist Daily. One word: Wow! As a former Lit Professor and eternal lover of ee cummings, another word: Wowee! I hope the broad exposure on The Optimist Daily brings you all the $ you need to make more. Thank you and Godspeed.

[@screwhalunderhill885]

Well now you got me into poetry.

[@kristaadams784]

Really fantastic insightful analysis and I love that you place it within the larger philosophy of his work. I would only add that, appropriately and traditionally, he chooses the form of a sonnet for this love poem. But of course, as cummings must, he breaks the form just a little bit, just enough to make it his own.

[@daniesza]

Love your eloquent simplicity and depth of reading.

[@tejaschavan18993]

Thanks as always for the amazing and diverse content Nerdwriter! I am an architecture student and I am taking part in a design competition..this video has inspired me to explain my design concept through a poem (the competition has an abstract/philosophical/ poetic tone to it)! Thanks again!

[@chrominox]

The emphasis on each word, illuminating the meaning, is just staggeringly beautiful. In an odd way, it exposes how I take words in every day reading/speaking for granted. Great editing work, if I may say so.

[@chrominox]

+InfiniteEIC its all relative. I respect your opinion, and having met many people like you and have learned to agree to disagree. Don't troll anymore. Its unbecoming of you.

[@chrominox]

+InfiniteEIC I agree with you on that one. As an ardent fan of 'The Beatles', I have seen how their songs have been over explained where there is no explanation to be sought.

[@chrominox]

+InfiniteEIC because sometimes simple writing hides a deeper meaning. In the case of Beatles, Lennon himself proclaimed the 'Walrus' song as nonsensical. I infer deep meaning from simplicity, some dont. Hence, it all being relative.

[@sebastianx13]

Could you please do a video on Sylvia Plath, Octavia Butler or Toni Morrison please?

[@Nerdwriter1]

+Sebastian Lock I just might.

[@MrDawnRise]

Butler Butler Butler!

[@6Picturesofyou]

I love this channel so much. I love how almost every ending is described so beautifully. My heart.

[@kaiduneesan4612]

ugh this poem always makes me cry like a baby. I don't know who you are.. but I will find you. Then I will... hug you.

[@SDW90808]

Good Lord, man, where were you when I was studying English Lit?? Outstanding! I only have to go back and watch three or four or more times. Thank you for such incredible work.

[@TACOSonSTEROIDS]

Your analysis on art is astonishing. Really gives me whole new perspectives on not just art, but literature as well. You sir are enjoying art right.

[@juliamcmullan8943]

Yes yes and yess!! I've been waiting for you to make a video about a poem like this! Thank you, my favourite KZbin channel. Such a well done video😊

[@dtm876]

i really really appreciate your effort in making this video. I come back to it often. Thank you

[@CarmelStSurin]

As a philistine of the underclass' underbelly, I saw this poem in a romcom and fell in love with it immediately. I looked it up online and posted it on my fb. I then met a brilliant guy, we fell in love and I would leave him notes in which I always called him, "my darling, my sweet". I secretly hoped to recite it to him at our wedding (i'm a corny girl). Then our relationship didn't work out, but we remained friends. Then he spiraled into a depression and died of it last september. I read this poem at his memorial. I thank you for explaining it and decoding its nuances that I knew nothing of. Thank you. This channel is really wonderful, and touches my heart in a very personal way.

[@theresasofia_]

I ADORE your channel! Everything about it is just amazing. I love how sophisticatedly you account for art. You are great at editing and every video is so informative for an art lover like me! Thank you!

[@rockinglife12]

Watched this one video and now subscribed. This is awesome, I've been watching wisecrack for awhile now but I'm glad I found you too. Love it.

[@AmbroseReed]

I've always found parenthetical phrases really interesting and used them a lot in my writing, and I think the "foregrounded background info" thing explains why. It's such a unique mental space.

[@crisjedm]

Wisecrack brought me here! Fantastic videos! I've binged a lot of your videos. Thoroughly enjoyed your analysis on the painting of Plato's death!

[@bibliophilecb]

Congratulations, you just made my love for my favorite poet even greater. Thank you.

[@lucasmarohn]

Every single one of your videos gives me chills at the end.

[@laketuna]

Just beautiful. I wish there were more words like these out there.

[@paulinegeluz9952]

You are the root of the root and the bud of the bud of an undeniably unshakeable love in me from this point onwards. The world is brighter bc of the art you share in this medium, thank you!

[@chzcake44s]

Videos like this keep the world turning!

[@mariateresa5380]

So so good explanation and graphic representation. You awaked my interest in this poet from the very first moment I played your video. Thanks!!

[@akshaygadhave5488]

one of my favorite poems...your analysis made me appreciate it more...thanks!

[@NgaiOlaudah]

brilliant exegesis of one of our (my) greatest teachers! great writing talking about great writing. thank you, young man, arthur

[@donnawinter7561]

Thank you for reminding me of this poem. Dismissed as a one of my many teenage fancies Cummings had slipped from my consciousness. I have just been revisiting him and find the same lump in my throat as before.

[@jeffreymiller4624]

every week your essays make me smile and think. thank you for all you do for us, your fans. jeff

[@patrickmohr6985]

All of your videos are moving, this one exceptionally so. I am grateful for the deeper understanding in art that you give your viewers like me.

[@matthewdrummond1340]

Here thanks to Wisecrack's Thug Notes. I've subscribed to the awesomeness that is your channel.

[@matthewmclaughlin4787]

Very very well done. I'm about to attempt to teach a course on Cummings. Great analysis of this beautiful poem. Will definitely include your great video as a reference. Thank you very much sir!

[@saurabhsingh9272]

the reading of the poem at the beginning (were blessing to my ear, mind, soul and to me...)

[@kismeteors]

mr nerdwriter, i love ur content a lot. it leaves me intellectually content and happy w the sense that i have learnt something new. thank you for making what you make!

[@joelfry4982]

e e cummings was one of the finest poets ever. I love his take on love as well as his take on just about everything. Thanks for posting this.

[@alexcasavant4019]

Hey Nerdwriter! First off, I love this Cummings video analysis so much, as I've loved all your videos since I first discovered you around a year ago. Your work is not only intelligent and creative, but also full of feeling. But I do have a question/correction to offer based on a statement you made in this video. You claim Cummings associates his "small hands" imagery to the moon in one of his poems, but I believe he uses this imagery when comparing his beloved's hands to the rain in his wonderful poem "somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond." Here is the final stanza of the poem: (i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; only something in me understands the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses) nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

[@rodneybobron6342]

I got to you from wisecrack a long time ago You both are my fav channels. Another amazing video.High quality content Inspiring

[@hummingpylon]

Top quality editing and I love the topics you chose.

[@MrUndersolo]

This is a brilliant analysis of Cummings and I have to congratulate you for making this entertaining enough to be up on KZbin.

[@elocin22791]

I always enjoy your video essays on poetry and painting - just so lovely. My favourite one by you is still the "Leda and the Swan" video essay, but this is lovely too. Thank you (:

[@samuelbrammell3511]

PLEASE!!!!!!! More poetry related videos! Watched this one, the ones you did on Yeats, and on sonnet 116. Got so much out of them all.

[@adamsasso1]

Yours are among the finest videos on KZbin. Thank you for sharing them.

[@theodoreeccleston1477]

Man alive. You are doing a great service here. Thank you, from the kernel of my being, thank you. Accessing these great ideas is in the way.

[@wendys9500]

In addition to your stellar analysis, I feel like your voice is severely underappreciated. God, it's so soothing to listen to.

[@DonStJohn-kn2sd]

As a long-time admirer of e.e.cummings (like I love the moon) this is quite enlightening (as the sun breaks through a fog)

[@pastachaos]

Your content never disappoints me.

[@chozomonkey]

As an English teacher, I love this. Well done, friend.

[@mat145395]

Your videos are wonderful! I really enjoy the way you present them. Although I don't agree with everything you say, it is clear that you put a lot of efford into the essays and you deserver some credit about it. I personally would enjoy seeing more videos about literature. KZbin doesn't have literature based channels of such quality. You are great with those videos; keep making them.

[@SDW90808]

NOTE: I was hooked by the title and then reeled in when I saw the creator. Thanks again for your work.

[@nothinmulch]

E. E. Cummings is and will always be my favorite poet. Loved the analysis video!

[@MrSegrist]

Wow! I will be using this in my Creative Writing and Composition classes. I begin every class with a poem and focus on a particular aspect of the poet's style. Your video combines many of the devices in an impressive way. I'll letcha know what the kids think. good work! the up keeP

[@bradnowall300]

You Sir, would make one of the great english teacher. If I only paid attention for 9 minutes in any of my english classes.. You are truly enticing.

[@Sickkities]

I've watched this too many times thank you nerdwriter for espousing my absolute favorite poet

[@alejoparedes2388]

We need more KZbin videos analyzing poetry.

[@simisoosue]

This video moved me. Thank you Evan, your videos are incredible.

[@ArsalanKhan-rz8wp]

Love Your Work Nerdwriter

[@QuyenNguyen-cp4eq]

I just discovered this amazing video and now I'm hooked. Keep them coming.

[@ObaREX]

What is that theme that plays at the end of each of your videos! It's so relaxing.

[@HaxXxler]

+Edward Gil (ObaREX) I loved the ascending bit at the 7-minute mark. So I dug around a bit and stumbled upon the amazing Dexter Britain, who does most of his music for free! That specific bit is from 'Free Spirited' on his Light of Life album.

[@ObaREX]

HaxXxler Ah, thanks.

[@Unreissued]

i would love to see more poetry analysis from you this is fantastic

[@Mad.E]

You're great at making me appreciate things that I might not have otherwise.