Walt Whitman wrote in the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, “The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.” And that has been the case with Whitman. His poems speak to us in the same way they spoke to people in the 19th century. Let’s turn to one of his great works: Leaves of Grass.
Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection where each poem of which is loosely connected and represents the celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. Whitman kept writing and rewriting it till the end of his days. That’s why, you would find so many colours of life in these poems. Including the idea of life itself. Take a moment to read the poem below. It’s called O Me! O Life!
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d, Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me, Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined, The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer. That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
Whitman talks about nature, he talks about people, he talks about relationships, he talks about each one of us undertaking his or her own journey. It’s a spiritual exercise. But, instead of relying on religion or supernatural, Whitman relies on the material world he sees around and helps us find meaning within that. Whitman does not diminish the role of the mind or the spirit; rather, he elevates the human form and the human mind, deeming both worthy of poetic praise.
Reading Leaves of Grass is quite a meditative experience and you might want to read it on a regular basis once you get hold of the book.
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