Whitman
An Ode to Whitman…
The scope of Whitman’s brilliance is undisputed among American poets. His name is often mentioned in the same breath as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Robert Frost. Whitman was born in Long Island, New York on May 31, 1819. Shortly after his birth his large family (he had nine brothers and sisters) moved to Brooklyn, New York. Whitman always held the borough Brooklyn dear to his heart later writing, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” as an ode to his former hometown. Yet, it was his 12 poem epic “Leaves of Grass” that made him a star.
Whitman essentially schooled himself on the classics, he read constantly. Shakespeare, Dante, Homer, Virgil and of course the bible were all among his favorites. In 1848 Whitman moved south picking up journalism in the ‘Big Easy’. It was in New Orleans that he became aware of the horrific racial bigotry that existed in America at the time.
Whitman spent 11 years in our area. He moved to Washington DC in 1862 to care for his brother who was wounded in battle. Walt traveled through the local hospitals helping wherever he could. When you exit the Dupont Circle Metro station you can read an engraving of a Whitman poem embedded in the stone… it reads:
“Thus in silence in dreams’ projections,
Returning, resuming, I thread my way through the hospitals;
The hurt and wounded I pacify with soothing hand,
I sit by the restless all dark night - some are so young;
Some suffer so much- I recall the experience sweet and sad.”
-Walt Whitman from “Leaves of Grass” 1876
Even though “Leaves of Grass” rocketed Whitman into the stratosphere of famous American poets, he lived a humble life of poverty. He struggled to make ends meet throughout the duration of his life. He died in New Jersey in March 1892.
*Little known fact: Whitman began his teaching career at the age of seventeen in a one room school in Long Island, New York!
(and to hear more check the November Poet of the Month Link)
