e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings Quotes

A collection of quotes by e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings.

E. E. (Edward Estlin) Cummings, born on October 14, 1894, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was an influential American poet, painter, essayist, and playwright. Known for his unconventional style and experimentation with language, Cummings pushed the boundaries of traditional poetry.

Cummings attended Harvard University, where he developed a love for literature and began writing poetry. During World War I, he served as an ambulance driver in France, an experience that deeply impacted his artistic outlook. His first book of poetry, "Tulips and Chimneys," was published in 1923 and showcased his unique poetic style, characterized by innovative punctuation, lowercase letters, and striking visual arrangements of words on the page.

Throughout his career, Cummings published numerous volumes of poetry, which showcased his wit, playfulness, and profound insights into love, nature, and the human experience. Some of his notable works include "Eimi," "No Thanks," and "95 Poems." Apart from writing, he also dabbled in painting and created abstract visual art that complemented his poetic sensibilities.

E. E. Cummings achieved critical and popular success during his lifetime, winning many prestigious awards for his contributions to literature. He continued to write prolifically until his death on September 3, 1962, leaving behind a rich legacy of avant-garde poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you reall

It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)haveo

if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)haveone. It will not be a pansy heaven ora fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley butit will be a heaven of blackred rosesmy father will be(deep like a rosetall like a rose)standing near myswaying over her(silent)with eyes which are really petals and seenothing with the face of a poet really whichis a flower and not a face withhandswhich whisperThis is my beloved my(suddenly in sunlighthe will bow,and the whole garden will bow)

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

America makes prodigious mistakes, America has colossal faul

America makes prodigious mistakes, America has colossal faults, but one thing cannot be denied: America is always on the move. She may be going to Hell, of course, but at least she isn't standing still.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

Private property began the instant somebody had a mind of hi

Private property began the instant somebody had a mind of his own.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

It takes three to make a child.

It takes three to make a child.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful questi

Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

when god decided to invent everything he took one reath bigg

when god decided to invent everything he took one reath bigger than a circustent and everything began

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

It is with roses and locomotives (not to mention acrobats Sp

It is with roses and locomotives (not to mention acrobats Spring electricity Coney Island the 4th of July the eyes of mice and Niagara Falls) that my poems are competing.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

The earth laughs in flowers.

The earth laughs in flowers.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and al

A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think, I too, have known autumn too long.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

Knowledge is a polite word for dead but not buried imaginati

Knowledge is a polite word for dead but not buried imagination.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

Nothing recedes like progress.

Nothing recedes like progress.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be sai

I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

A politician is an ass upon which everyone has sat except a

A politician is an ass upon which everyone has sat except a man.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

At least the Pilgrim Fathers used to shoot Indians: the Pilg

At least the Pilgrim Fathers used to shoot Indians: the Pilgrim Children merely punch time clocks.

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

Humanity I love you because when you're hard up you pawn you

Humanity I love you because when you're hard up you pawn your intelligence to buy a drink

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings

may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secr

may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of livingwhatever they sing is better than to knowand if men should not hear them men are oldmay my mind stroll about hungryand fearless and thirsty and suppleand even if it

e. e. (Edward Estlin) cummings