e. e. cummings: 'If a poet is anybody, he is somebody to whom things made matter very little - somebody who is obsessed by Making.'

If a poet is anybody, he is somebody to whom things made matter very little - somebody who is obsessed by Making.

In the quote by e.e. cummings, "If a poet is anybody, he is somebody to whom things made matter very little - somebody who is obsessed by Making," the poet sheds light on a fascinating perspective about the artist's mindset. In a straightforward interpretation, cummings suggests that poets, as creators and artists, are not preoccupied with the material world but are driven by the act of "Making." This implies that their focus lies in the process of creation rather than the end result or the external factors that may influence it.At first glance, this notion might seem peculiar or even counterintuitive. After all, most people tend to attach great importance to the tangible outcomes, the "things made," rather than the process by which they are brought into existence. However, cummings challenges this perspective by asserting that true poets possess a different kind of consciousness, one that prioritizes the act of creation itself.When we consider this quote through a philosophical lens, it leads us to ponder the concept of existentialism. Existentialists argue that human existence precedes essence, emphasizing the importance of individual choice and freedom in shaping one's own destiny. Following this line of thought, a poet embodying the existentialist mindset would be driven by the process of creation as an expression of their freedom and individuality. By disregarding the value of external "things made," the poet embraces the primacy of their own agency over the material world. In essence, the poet's obsession with Making becomes a manifestation of existential freedom.In contrast, society values the end result, the tangible product. We often place immense importance on the outcomes and the achieved goals, neglecting the significance of the journey taken to arrive at them. This conventional perspective tends to connect value and meaning to the physical manifestations of art rather than the creative process itself. It can be argued that our fixation on the material stems from our need for instant gratification and our inclination to measure success in finite terms.However, cummings challenges this societal norm by highlighting the artist's unique perspective. By shifting our focus from the end result to the process of creation, we open ourselves up to a different understanding of value and meaning. The poet, as an idealized figure in this context, demonstrates the significance of joy, passion, and dedication in the act of Making itself. For them, the journey holds more importance than the destination, and the impact lies in the freeing and transformative power of creation.In conclusion, e.e. cummings' quote conveys a profound insight into the artist's mindset. It suggests that poets, as true creators, find little importance in the "things made" and are instead preoccupied with the act of Making. This perspective challenges societal norms that prioritize tangible outcomes over the creative journey. When viewed from a philosophical standpoint, the poet's obsession with Making aligns with existentialist ideals, emphasizing individual freedom and the power of choice. By reevaluating our own relationship with the creative process, we can discover the extraordinary potential held within the act of creation itself.