| Title | : | Poems by Walt Whitman |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1892 |
Poems by Walt Whitman Reviews
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This edition did not make a good impression
Whitman is one of those authors more heard of and talked about than read. I learned quite a lot about him in both high school and college, but before reading these selections, could not recall a single line of his work. For good reason it seems. Whitman's words which were chosen to be placed at the beginning of this little volume frightened me. Both because they are almost incomprehensible and because there are people of presumed sound mind who profess to understand and enjoy this sort of thing. Though I do not know any of them personally. Or if I do, they have kept quiet about it. One may suppose that this is because I am a Philistine who associates with other Philistines who have no love for or understanding of the poetic art. But among my associates, poetry is occasionally (very occasionally, I admit) quoted and discussed, but never Whitman. Now I remember why.
I will pause to note that this first English edition, prepared by William Michael Rossetti, is said to have been edited to conform with British sensitivities of the day. Perhaps this and the chosen format for the poems may have something to do with the poor impression this volume made upon me. In fairness, once I have recovered from this ordeal, I may try a more highly regarded edition of Whitman. However I am not optimistic. Try these lines from Song of Myself, "Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy whatever I touch or am touch’d from,/ The scent of these arm-pits aroma finer than prayer,/ This head more than churches, bibles, and all the creeds." Really? -
A primeira vez que ouvi falar sobre Walt Whitman foi numa aula de português do secundário. Estavamos a estudar a poesia de Álvaro de Campos, o poema "Ode marítima" que foi fortemente influenciado pela poesia deste poeta americano. Conheci depois a sua poesia através do filme "O clube dos poetas mortos", Robin Williams declamou os seu poemas de forma majestosa. Adorei principalmente "o capitan! my Capitan"
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Atrevi-me a ler finalmente os seus poemas. São louvores a vida, a nação americana, a vida marítima. São gritos a liberdade, a igualdade, contra a guerra e por um mundo melhor. Toda a sua poesia é carregada de um sentimento de glória e um orgulho de pertencer a uma grande nação. -
I am not certain whether what I read was "Poems" by Walt Whitman or "A conversation through centuries: How to communicate with a deceased poet"
This is the one book that I would describe as a journey. As I opened it, I was no longer in my room or in the car. I was in an old house, sitting by the fireplace and listening to the ramblings of someone who could have just as well been my grandfather. He was that kind of person who could talk forever. And I wanted him to. But nothing lasts forever and as soon as this poet said his last words, I was back in my room.
How could it all end so soon? It seemed like only minutes ago I had felt his words fueling me with poetry.
To be fair, I don't think he's gone, or that he'll ever be gone. -
Catching up with the classics #7
RTC -
Whitman isn't always my cup of tea. He has a few favorite topics that he loves to hit over and over again, but you can't say he doesn't do it well. It's just that sometimes, moving through this collection, I'll get into a new entry and roll my eyes as he extols his love for American Liberty for the twentieth time.
That being said, the man truly has a way with words, and he doesn't tie himself down to the limitations of rhyme or cadence. This does, however, enable that "rambling" style that he often gets singled out for. It doesn't so much bother me, but it's a flavor not everyone will enjoy.
Some of my noted favorites were: Years of the Unperformed, Song of the Banner at Daybreak, Vigil on the Field, The Dresser, Oh Captain! My Captain!, and Pioneers! Oh Pioneers! -
Powerful
Whitman is completely powerful in his words. His words flow like songs and give the soul a lift. Whitman writes "I am a man who, sauntering along, without fully stopping, turns a casual look upon you, and then averts his face, Leaving it to you to prove and define it, Expecting the main things from you." He gives advice to future poets and writers. His words never tire. His words are Always there, precious and lively. -
Out of the rolling ocean the crowd came a drop gently to me,
Whispering, I love you, before long I die,
I have travell’d a long way merely to look on you to touch you,
For I could not die till I once look’d on you,
For I fear’d I might afterward lose you.
Now we have met, we have look’d, we are safe,
Return in peace to the ocean my love,
I too am part of that ocean, my love, we are not so much separated,
Behold the great rondure, the cohesion of all, how perfect!
But as for me, for you, the irresistible sea is to separate us,
As for an hour carrying us diverse, yet cannot carry us diverse forever;
Be not impatient – a little space – know you I salute the air, the ocean and the land,
Every day at sundown for your dear sake, my love. -
“You have not known what you are—you have slumbered upon yourself all your / life;”
Whitman has a way of just wrapping you up in this beautiful, elegant prose that sounds so nice and feels so good you don’t even think about depth and meaning. But man oh man, diving into the words is so so rewarding. I got a renewed sense of optimism and hope and pride for not only myself and my life but also for this Earth and all people. It’s such an amazing experience - I really felt awakened from from sort of foggy slumber.
“This incredible rush and heat - this strange ecstatic fever of dreams, O years! / Your dreams, O years, how they penetrate through me! (I know not whether I / sleep or wake!)” -
When you read poems that do not have a cadence, you quickly discover that there is a fine line between poetry and rambling. Sadly, you have a 50/50 shot with this collection of Whitman's "poems".
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No es esta la compilación que leí pero bueno, pasa (?)
Whitman nos sumerge con su poesía en su particular mirada del mundo, donde priman el amor por la naturaleza, la unión con el otro y la crítica a la guerra. Debo admitir que este libro no fue para mí. No terminó de llegarme y sólo pude destacar un par de líneas de algunos poemas. Es muy intenso (y extenso) para mi gusto, sentí que ciertas partes sobraban. Para conocer su poesía estuvo bien 😊💫 seguiré mi camino de leer compilaciones de poesía -
I read it and reread it. I feel like I haven't finished it.
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Song of Myself. One of the best things I've ever read. EVER. E>V>E>R. E.V.E.R.
Everrrrrrrrrr. -
This was my first experience with Whitman. I really enjoyed it. This particular volume included some of Whitman's more famous works, but not others, so I will likely come back to read Leaves of Grass at some point. Some of my favorites included in this volume were: Starting from Paumanok, Vigil on the Field, The Wounded, Dirge for Two Veterans, Survivors, Centuries Hence, and So Long!.
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Beautiful book, exquisite prose, just not for me. I leafed through it, and really didn't read it. Maybe another time for it :)
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I think Whitman's not my bag... too much unending stream of consciousness for me. But, it's cool that he was a gay Civil War nurse. I didn't know that.
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I guess it's too much for me but I gave it a shot!
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There is some truly excellent poetry contained in this collection, as well as some that I could happily do without. Overall, a worthy sampling of Whitman.
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"Todas las cosas avanzan, nada se destruye, y la muerte no es como se la han imaginado sino màs propicia"
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I have a strange love/hate with Whitman.
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Not the best set of Walt Whitman! Some of the poems are very regional it’s a kind of boring for a foreigner.
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Whitman's words have a way of perfectly encapsulating ones feelings and thoughts. He truly is a master of the written word.
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"Whitman's poems present no trace of rhyme, save in a couple or so of chance instances. Parts of them, indeed, may be regarded as a warp of prose amid the weft of poetry, such as Shakespeare furnishes the precedent for in drama. Still there is a very powerful and majestic rhythmical sense throughout."
Whitman, Walt. Poems By Walt Whitman (p. 6). Kindle Edition.
Read a poem a day - is in my Todoist.
At 43% in, I cannot take any more of the USA poems, and I am not even up to Leaves of Grass. I am going to skip the section marked 'Chants Democratic' and maybe 'Drum Taps' if it is more of the same American propaganda.
Good lord, how did anyone ever miss that this man is clearly openly positively GAY.
oh, so that's who wrote 'O captain, my captain.'
Given Leaves of Grass is over 600 pages, I assume this is just a sample of some of it? [I love free classic novels, my kindle is stuffed with them, so it is in there somewhere and can wait for another day.]
I think some of it was lovely but other parts were ... not. I think he might appeal more to his brethren, Americans.
3 stars -
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Me gusta su obra de canto al mío cid y hojas de hierba por qué parece que te conecta con las personas y la naturaleza.
Pero aquí conocemos otra parte de el como la poesía nos cuenta lo que fue en su momento la guerra.
También creo que Whitman tenía una comprensión por el amor más adelantado de su época, si nosotros fuéramos más profundos en esta cuestión no tendríamos el sentido de juzgar sin conocer.
Me gustó pero no creo que es algo que me gustaría guardar. -
Whitman, my lover of countless generations ago.
Currently reading poetry to educate myself on other genres in literature and I suggest anyone who is interested in spiritual poetic themes should start with Walt Whitman. I read this after Leaves of Grass (although there is a condensed version of that in this selection) and I'm still reeling from his words. -
Walt Whitman
Whitman's influence on poetry remain strong. you cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman. Without Leaves of Grass, He has expressed that Civilization quote is up-to-date as you would say, and no student of philosophy of History can do without them. Walt Whitman is America's poet, he is America. -
I love Whitman and his poems, but this edition was poorly done in my opinion. There were too many things changed from the original titles and the flow just did not make too much sense. The poems are great, but I rather read the Leaves of Grass than this edition.
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Classic.
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I’m sorry, but I thought that Whitman’s poetry was supposed to be really good and I’ve discovered that it is rubbish.
