E.E. Cummings

Well, there are not that many poets that have won me over. I tend to read certain poets over and over again, and E.E. Cummings is one of them. I was reading a lot of him these last three years. I ended up just writing a song. It’s hard to say why these things happen because most things just grow naturally, like a plant, on this record.

But looking back on it, I think he’s very interested in climaxes — in the divine and euphoric states. But what is special about him is that he’s always humble. It’s very common for people who are really into peaks and crowns, and euphoric states that they go really pompous and … [makes poof sound] sort of Wagner-like. Which he never, ever, ever … I guess that’s something I found really curious — that you can go to the sharpest peak ever, but it’s completely humble.

CDnow, august 2001