From W.S. Merwin to e.e. cummings

The poetry of former poet laureate W.S Merwin brought to mind that of e.e. cummings, who blazed the path of verse that ignored conventions of form, capitalization and punctuation. But he offered the same brilliance, insightfulness, command of language, and range of moods and messages. Of course, e.e. cummings is already installed in the pantheon of great American poets, but W.S Merwin is destined for a place beside him.

Here's a few on love and lovers from a long-unread collection on my bookshelf, 95 Poems (1950-1958):

#91 

unlove's the heavenless hell and homeless home 

of knowledgeable shadows(quick to seize

each nothing which all soulless wraiths proclaim

substance;all heartless spectres,happiness) 

lovers alone wear sunlight. The whole truth 

not hid by matter;not by mind revealed

(more than all dying life,all living death)

and never which has been or will be told 

sings only--and all lovers are the song. 

Here(only here)is freedom:always here

no then of winter equals now of spring;

but april's day transcends november's year 

(eternity being so sans until

twice i have lived forever in a smile)

#94 

Being to timelessness as it's to time

love did no more begin than love will end;

where nothing is to breathe to stroll to swim

love is the air the ocean and the land 

(do lovers suffer?all divinities

proudly descending put on deathful flesh:

are lovers glad?only their smallest joy's

a universe emerging from a wish) 

love is the voice under all silences,

the hope which has no opposite in fear;

the strength so strong mere force is feebleness:

the truth more first than sun more last than star 

--do lovers love?why then to heaven with hell.

Whatever sages say and fools,all's well

#60 

dive for dreams

or a slogan may topple you

(trees are their roots

and wind is wind) 

trust your heart

if the seas catch fire

(and live by love

though the stars walk backward) 

honour the past

but welcome the future

(and dance your death

away at this wedding) 

never mind a world

with its villains or heroes

(for god likes girls

and tomorrow and the earth)