Riot

e e cummings

When I was in my 20's and just starting to read for pleasure and not for school, I discovered e. e. cummings. His poems taught me how to live even before I knew who I was or that you could decide who to be in the world. I have read this poem for 20 years and am surprised and delighted by it every time. It also reminds me of spring because it's full of birds and hopefulness.

may my heart always be open to little

birds who are the secrets of living

whatever they sing is better than to know

and if men should not hear them men are old

may my mind stroll about hungry

and fearless and thirsty and supple

and even if it's sunday may i be wrong

for whenever men are right they are not young

and may myself do nothing usefully

and love yourself so more than truly

there's never been quite such a fool who could fail

pulling all the sky over him with one smile

e.e. cummings