What does this poem mean to you?

Question

This is one of my favorite poems by E. E. Cummings


here is little Effie's head
whose brains are made of gingerbread
when judgment day comes
God will find six crumbs

stooping by the coffinlid
waiting for something to rise
as the other somethings did-
you imagine his surprise

bellowing through the general noise
Where is Effie who was dead?
-to God in a tiny voice,
i am may the first crumb said

whereupon its fellow five
crumbs chuckled as if they were alive
and number two took up the song
might i'm called and did no wrong

cried the third crumb, i am should
and this is my little sister could
with our big brother who is would
don't punish us for we were good;

and the last crumb with some shame
whispered unto God, my name
is must and with the others i've
been Effie who isn't alive

just imagine it I say
God amid a monstrous din
watch your step and follow me
stooping by Effie's little, in

(want a match or can you see?)
which the six subjective crumbs
twitch like mutilated thumbs;
picture His peering biggest whey

coloured face on which a frown
puzzles, but I know the way-
(nervously Whose eyes approve
the blessed while His ears are crammed

with the strenuous music of
the innumerable capering damned)
-staring wildly up and down
the here we are now judgment day

cross the threshold have no dread
lift the sheet back in this way
here is little Effie's head
whose brains are made of gingerbread

cassie58 · Accepted Answer

Poor Effie was completely unable to think for herself in life.( Her brain was made of gingerbread) Even when she lay dead and God asked where she was, it was the first of six crumbs who answered.: may, followed by might, should, could, would,Must is the sixth crumb. Not completely sure of the ending though. I think she was having difficulty still knowing what to do to cross the threshold. Strange poem. Not one my favourites. Hope Socrates tells us his interpretation when picking a BA

Acorn · Answer

With an e e cummings poem, saying "This is what it means to me" is like trying to nail Jello to a tree.

This poem has always seemed very pro-feminist, or at least anti anti-feminist.  It talks about independent thinking to me.  Effie (a name that sounds suspiciously like the word "iffy") apparently never thought for herself and all that's left of her crumbly brain is a bunch of subjunctives:  woulda, coulda ,shoulda, musta.

Even God looks on those 6 crumbs with puzzlement; even His omniscience can't fathom why a person would live her life allowing others to think for her.

Anonymous · Answer

So, are we led to believe that Effie has a crumby brain?

Psyengine · Answer

The self divided identity crisis.

5 ft 7 Texas Heaven · Answer

While not at all my fave piece by Cummings, certainly in a metaphorical sense a pretty powerful message.
Thank you to post it.

jenny · Answer

Faith without action is dead,
Good intentions gone astray
Baa baa baa
God have mercy on such as we.
Baa baa baa

Anonymous · Answer

I'm too lazy and cranky to read today but wanted to say hi and that I was just wondering about you yesterday.x.

Anonymous · Answer

It means a lot to me, but I can't
explain too well right now because
my tongue is coated with elder
oil, from six mangled F-heads and
such and so many things.
.
.

. · Answer

It sorta sounds like e.e.e was not a believer; I'd have to give this more time to really decide his meaning.

wavryder ® · Answer

sounds afraid of life

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What does this poem mean to you?

11 Answers