Another Daffodil

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me


in time of daffodils, by E. E. Cummings


In truth, I generally find poems by this fellow a bit annoying and over the top. Sometimes one will sorta land just right though, and in that case I'm willing to give it a little extra time and effort. I think I've come around on this one and may be starting to appreciate it. Maybe you have to be in one of those moods where you happen to be contemplating love, loss, and the beautifully transitory gift of life on earth. Or daffodils.

I discovered this has been put to music and decided the following version is the most ethereal and haunting. Which I'm not saying is necessarily the best way to approach the poem, but it worked out pretty well.