95 Poems by E.E. Cummings

Published in 1958, 95 Poems was the final book of poetry published by E.E. Cummings during his life. It’s a joyous and beautiful work that left me with a sense of joie de vivre.

The poems are about nature, the seasons, love, aging, as well as observations of people, animals, and the universe. Cummings breaks the rules of punctuation, word order, capitalization, and spacing as an artistic statement. In each poem, his word placement serves a purpose. Cummings’s way of writing is spirited, and his exuberant, unique technique of playing with words is both inspiring and entertaining.

A few of my favorite lines include:

because you aren't afraid to kiss the dirt
(and consequently dare to climb the sky)
-poem 7

For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea
-poem 10

but more than all(as all your more than eyes
tell me)there is a time for timelessness
-poem 11

(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me
-poem 16

honour the past
but welcome the future
-poem 60

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)
-poem 92


Years ago, my husband and I lived down the street from his birthplace and childhood home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I wish I’d read this lovely volume back then.

External Link:
Cummings Archive - an archival collection of E.E. Cummings's drafts and notes curated by Aaron M. Moe, Ph.D.

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I Know a Girl

I know a girl
Who’s fair and pretty
She sprinkles hashtags
Like confetti—
Blessed and grateful
Live laugh love
Her heart’s pure gold.
She’s a shimmering dove.

And I look in the mirror
At my dark hair
And at the shadows
Everywhere.
Blessed or unblessed?
Give try share
Heart on my sleeve,
Crafting castles in the air.


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Magnetic

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Tori Amos: Piece by Piece by Tori Amos and Ann Powers

Tori Amos: Piece by Piece is an autobiography of the musician Tori Amos that was cowritten by Amos and Ann Powers. Published on February 8, 2005, the memoir describes Tori Amos’s childhood and musical training, her creative process, and her career and musical circle. The book also provides an enlightening look at Tori’s relationship with her fans and her family life.

As a longtime fan, I enjoyed the parts of the book that described Tori Amos’s songwriting process and creative inspirations. I also liked the chapter on her image in terms of fashion and photography. I gained a sense of what touring is like for her and her crew. It was fun to learn how she creates her unique setlists with consideration for the city she’s playing in and current events. The chapter on her split from Atlantic Records was informative. I knew it was acrimonious, but I had no idea how awful it was. She provides some great advice for aspiring musicians about the music industry.

I wish the book had sharper editing overall. Though I’m a big fan, I found it hard to read the memoir at times. The chapter titles and effort to relate Tori to archetypes and mythological characters seemed forced to me.

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Rose

I haven't been drawing for a while, but last night I set aside some time to sketch this delicate rose.



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