Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Good-Bye My Fancy!" is a poem by Walt Whitman that reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The poem was first published in 1891 in Whitman's collection "Good-Bye My Fancy."

The poem begins with the speaker bidding farewell to his "fancy," which is a symbol of his youthful dreams and ideals. The speaker notes that he must let go of his dreams and move on with his life, even as he mourns the passing of his youth. The first stanza reflects on the pain and sadness that comes with the passing of time, and suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality.

The second stanza reflects on the beauty and majesty of the natural world, and suggests that even as things change and pass away, there is a sense of continuity and order in the universe. The speaker notes that the stars continue to shine in the sky, and that the natural world continues to renew itself with each passing season. The speaker reflects on the fact that even as he bids farewell to his own dreams and ideals, the natural world continues to thrive and renew itself.

The third stanza is more reflective, as the speaker reflects on the deeper meanings and implications of his farewell. The speaker notes that his farewell is not just a goodbye to his own dreams and ideals, but to the larger world of his youth. The speaker reflects on the fact that he is now an older and wiser person, with new dreams and ideals to pursue.

Overall, "Good-Bye My Fancy!" is a powerful meditation on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The poem celebrates the beauty and majesty of the natural world, while also reflecting on the deeper spiritual significance of the passing of time. The poem has been interpreted as a powerful expression of Whitman's belief in the essential continuity and order of the universe, even in the face of the constant change and flux of human existence.

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