Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BROADWAY, by WALT WHITMAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BROADWAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What hurrying human tides, or day or night!
Last Line: Thou visor'd, vast, unspeakable show and lesson!
Subject(s): Broadway, New York City


What hurrying human tides, or day or night!
What passions, winnings, losses, ardors, swim thy waters!
What whirls of evil, bliss and sorrow, stem thee!
What curious questioning glances -- glints of love!
Leer, envy, scorn, contempt, hope, aspiration!
Thou portal -- thou arena -- thou of the myriad long-drawn
lines and groups!
(Could but thy flagstones, curbs, facades, tell their
inimitable tales;
Thy windows rich, and huge hotels -- thy side-walks wide;)
Thou of the endless sliding, mincing, shuffling feet!
Thou, like the parti-colored world itself -- like infinite,
teeming, mocking life!
Thou visor'd, vast, unspeakable show and lesson!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net