Further down the rabbit hole of metaphor

Remember this?

l(a

le
af
fa

ll

s)
one
l

iness

             e e cummings

This is actually an image/metaphor poem. 

The letters outside the parentheses make the word:         loneliness

The words inside the parentheses make the phrase:        a leaf falls

Cummings arranged the letters in a way to make them look like falling leaves.

He is the Picasso of poetry.

I contend metaphor is the basis of all poetry; rhythm and rhyme are but metaphorical after thoughts and counter points. They are eddies of swirling dust coming off the pounding feet of metaphor.

Here's an easy way to explore metaphor following Cummings pattern,

Write an abstract noun (a thought, feeling, idea):                    peace

Now write a concrete image that illustrates it:   sails fill with wind on a glassy sea

Joy

A dog’s panting smile

Sadness

The last kiss

Patience

“Do it again, daddy.”