who sharpens every dull
here comes the only man
reminding with his bell
to disappear a sun
and out of houses pour
maids mothers widows wives
bringing this visitor
their very oldest lives
one pays him with a smile
another with a tear
some cannot pay at all
he never seems to care
he sharpens is to am
he sharpens say to sing
you'd almost cut your thumb
so right he sharpens wrong
and when their lives are keen
he throws the world a kiss
and slings his wheel upon
his back and off he goes
but we can hear him still
if now our sun is gone
reminding with his bell
to reappear a moon
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Comments2LOVED THE IMAGERY, GOT ME THINKING!
Just encountered e.e. cummings's 'who sharpens every dull...' for the first time. Such a profound exploration of our everyday existence in his distinct poetic style. It's amazing how he turns the ordinary into something extraordinarily beautiful and poignant.