Thoughts on the poem "Independence Day"

I never know how much to explain about a poem. I hope these notes will help without crushing.

• This poem is a synthesis of three things:

  
  

  1.) There is an e.e. cummings poem that ends with "lovers alone wear sunlight." The meat of that poem explores what a man will do if the woman he loves falls for another. 

  
  

  2.) The old hymn, "And, Can it Be."

  
  

  3.) The story of the bleeding woman from Luke 8:44.

  
  

  The central question is whether or not love can be attained in the absence of appeal. This woman has obviously worked all her life, and she has reached the age where effort (practicality) seems her only contribution.

  
  

  And yet, her heart (in defiance of her sense) still rolls about, asking for love.

  
  

  In the end, there are three "as if" statements: (1) Infant. (2) Lover. (3) Healer.