The Will Echo song LISTEN, which appears on the INFINITY EP uses the E.E.Cummings poem ‘Listen’ as it's inspiration.
E.E.Cummings poem LISTEN is written in full below, it was first published as “Orientale IV” in the book of poetry titled “Tulips and Chimneys.”
Thanks to the E.E.Cummings free poetry archive for this transcript.
listen
beloved
i dreamed
it appeared that you thought to
escape me and became a great
lily atilt on
insolent
waters but i was aware of
fragrance and i came riding upon
a horse of porphyry into the
waters i rode down the red
horse shrieking from splintering
foam caught you clutched you upon my
mouth
listen
beloved
i dreamed in my dream you had
desire to thwart me and became
a little bird and hid
in a tree of tall marble
from a great way i distinguished
singing and i came
riding upon a scarlet sunset
trampling the night easily
from the shocked impossible
tower i caught
you strained you
broke you upon my blood
listen
beloved i dreamed
i thought you would have deceived
me and became a star in the kingdom
of heaven
through day and space i saw you close
your eyes and i came riding
upon a thousand crimson years arched with agony
i reined them in tottering before
the throne and as
they shied at the automaton moon from
the transplendant hand of sombre god
i picked you
as an apple is picked by the little peasants for their girls
There is an interesting analysis at the bottom of the allpoetry.com website that reads:-
This poem is a dream sequence in which the speaker pursues and captures their beloved, who transforms into various objects and creatures in an attempt to escape. The poem is notable for its vivid and surreal imagery, as well as its use of repetition and rhythm.
Compared to Cummings' other works, this poem is more narrative and less abstract. It also has a more somber and introspective tone, which is reflected in the use of darker and more violent imagery. This shift in tone may be due to the fact that the poem was written during a period of personal turmoil for Cummings.
The poem also reflects the modernist movement of the early 20th century, which emphasized the use of unconventional forms and techniques. This is evident in the poem's fragmentary structure, its lack of traditional punctuation, and its use of unconventional capitalization
Listen to LISTEN by Will Echo on all your favourite platforms including YouTube, Apple & Spotify