A pretty a day by E.E. Cummings (August 8, 2016)

[[deleted user]]

A pretty a day
by E.E. Cummings

A pretty a day
(and every fades)
is here and away
(but born are maids
to flower an hour
in all, all)
o yes to flower
until so blithe
a doer a wooer
some limber and lithe
some very fine mower
a tall; tall
some jerry so very
(and nellie and fan)
some handsomest harry
(and sally and nan
they tremble and cower
so pale: pale)
for betty was born
to never say nay
but lucy could learn
and lily could pray
and fewer were shyer
than doll. doll

[[deleted user]]

I choose this poem because I like how it flows the rhythm and rhyme of it I find unique.

[LauraT]

Yes Janessa; I like the music, the rythm ...

[Leslie]

I like Cummings but this is a new one for me. Nice selection!

This is a good one to read aloud to really get the impact of the rhymes .

[Gill]

Thanks, Janessa. This one is new to me also. I like it.

[[deleted user]]

Leslie wrote: "I like Cummings but this is a new one for me. Nice selection!

This is a good one to read aloud to really get the impact of the rhymes ."
I agree it is a good one to read out loud and would be fun to learn by heart. Easy too I would think.

[[deleted user]]

Let me join the chorus--great choice, Janessa! I love word play; I wish I had a child in my life to read this to. :)

[Diane S ☔]

Just took my grandkids back home after they spent the week with me. Going to have to remember to read this to them, especially since my young granddaughter is named Lily.

[[deleted user]]

had to make a quick spelling mistake. Sorry about that.

[Greg]

I like it Janessa - a very playful poem that's a little like a nursery rhyme in some ways but with some adult meanings peeking through.

Does anyone understand the word "mower" though? That was one thing that puzzled me. Is it really a lawn mower or is it something else?

[[deleted user]]

Greg, I took it to me a person mowing the grass. :)

[Greg]

Terri wrote: "Greg, I took it to me a person mowing the grass. :)"

Ah that makes sense Terri! Thanks!

[[deleted user]]

:)

[Susie]

Thanks for posting...I usually find Cummings to be too far out there for me, but this does have an easiness to it that I do like and the sing-songy rhythm grabs me as well...

[Leslie]

Greg wrote: "Terri wrote: "Greg, I took it to me a person mowing the grass. :)"

Ah that makes sense Terri! Thanks!"

Or even mowing down the flowers (at the end of their hours)?

[Greg]

Makes sense Leslie.

Taken that way, does anyone find it a little creepy though that the "wooing" of maiden flowers is compared to being mowed down by a tall mower?

Most likely I'm overthinking it. :)

[Leslie]

Greg wrote: "Makes sense Leslie.

Taken that way, does anyone find it a little creepy though that the "wooing" of maiden flowers is compared to being mowed down by a tall mower?

Most likely I'm overthinking ..."

No, I found the implication of 'deflowering' a bit creepy too!