Robert Kelly is a Politics for the People member from Texas. Today, he shares a favorite e.e. cummings poem with us. Here are his thoughts on “i sing of Olaf glad and big”:
I have been fond of e.e. cummings’s “I sing of Olaf glad and big” since I first read it in high school English almost fifty years ago. It was pretty controversial in those days because of the anti-war, anti-nationalistic sentiments and the profanity.
I was no conscientious objector and Olaf was certainly “more brave than me.” This poem is an anthem to anyone who takes an unpopular stand because of conscience and is made to suffer for it.”
i sing of Olaf glad and big
- E. Cummings, 1894 – 1962
i sing of Olaf glad and big
whose warmest heart recoiled at war:
a conscientious object-or
his wellbelovéd colonel (trig
westpointer most succinctly bred)
took erring Olaf soon in hand;
but–though an host of overjoyed
noncoms (first knocking on the head
him) do through icy waters roll
that helplessness which others stroke
with brushes recently employed
anent this muddy toiletbowl,
while kindred intellects evoke
allegiance per blunt instruments–
Olaf (being to all intents
a corpse and wanting any rag
upon what God unto him gave)
responds,without getting annoyed
“I will not kiss your fucking flag”
straightway the silver bird looked grave
(departing hurriedly to shave)
but–though all kinds of officers
(a yearning nation’s blueeyed pride)
their passive prey did kick and curse
until for wear their clarion
voices and boots were much the worse,
and egged the firstclassprivates on
his rectum wickedly to tease
by means of skilfully applied
bayonets roasted hot with heat–
Olaf (upon what were once knees)
does almost ceaselessly repeat
“there is some shit I will not eat”
our president,being of which
assertions duly notified
threw the yellowsonofabitch
into a dungeon,where he died
Christ (of His mercy infinite)
i pray to see;and Olaf,too
preponderatingly because
unless statistics lie he was
more brave than me:more blond than you.
Wow So powerful! I loved it. Thank you Robert.
Thank you Robert, I find this poem you’ve carried with you over many years powerful, painful and promising too..