anyone lived in a pretty how town

My Uncle John died yesterday, making me wonder if Aunt Helen can live without him. Both were/are in their mid 90s. They lived long, healthy, happy lives and were blessed with five children, and I don’t know how many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My uncle preformed my marriage in the Seattle temple and gave me my patriarchal blessing. (Don’t know what that is? Call a Mormon missionary. He/she will be happy to talk to you.) My Aunt Helen always called me “pal”, and helped me make a quilt that I gave to my husband as a wedding present.

They had a garden, and a cow, and a house on several acres. At one time, they lived in white Victorian that backed onto a river. Sometime back in the 60s or 70s, they built a house across the street, and they have been there ever since. Until now.

I’m thinking about them today, and this poem. (It’s one of my favorites.)

anyone lived in a pretty how town

E. E. Cummings, 1894 - 1962

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn’t he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone’s any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain