1. To Express Himself Freely and Experimentally: Cummings was a rebel against traditional poetic forms and conventions. He wanted to break free from the constraints of grammar and punctuation, exploring new ways to express himself. He used unconventional capitalization, typography, and sentence structure to create a more dynamic and visceral reading experience, reflecting the rhythm and energy of his thoughts.
2. To Explore the Human Experience: Cummings wrote about love, loss, joy, despair, and the complexities of human relationships. He was deeply interested in the individual and their place in the world, often writing from the perspective of the outsider or the underdog. His poems explored themes of freedom, individuality, and the beauty of everyday life.
3. To Celebrate the Beauty of the Ordinary: He saw poetry as a way to elevate the mundane, to find magic in the simple things, and to appreciate the beauty of nature. Cummings embraced the rhythms of speech and incorporated colloquial language and slang into his work, making his poems relatable and accessible.
4. To Engage in Social Commentary: Cummings was a keen observer of society and was deeply concerned about issues like war, injustice, and the loss of innocence. He used his poetry to voice his opposition to these issues and to champion individual freedom and the power of love.
5. To Inspire and Connect with Others: Cummings believed in the power of art to connect people and to inspire hope and change. His poems often reflected his own personal struggles and triumphs, making them relatable to a wide audience.
Ultimately, EE Cummings wrote to be true to himself and his vision of poetry. He wanted to challenge readers, inspire them, and make them think about the world in new ways. His work is a testament to the transformative power of language and the enduring spirit of the human heart.