Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WALT WHITMAN, by RAY CLARKE ROSE First Line: I am no slender singing bird Last Line: That it shall ring for aye and aye. Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Whitman, Walt (1819-1891) | ||||||||
I am no slender singing bird That feeds on puny garden seed! My songs are stronger than those heard In ev'ry wind-full, shallow reed! My pipes are jungle-grown and need A strong man's breath to blow them well; A strong soul's sense to solve their spell And be by their deep music stirred. My voice speaks not, in lisping notes, The madrigals of lesser minds! My heart tones thunder from the throats Of throbbing seas and raging winds; And yet, the master-spirit finds The tenderness of mother earth Is there expressed, despite the dearth Of tinkle tunes like dancing motes! My hand strokes not a golden lyre Threaded with silverspider spun! The strings I strike are strands of fire, Strung from Earth's center to the Sun! Thrilled deep with passion, ev'ry one! With songs of forest, corn, and vine; Of rushing water, blood, and wine; Of man's conception and desire! But listen, comrade! This I say: In all of all I give my heart! With lover's voice I bid you stay To share with me the better part Of all my days! nights! thoughts! and start With far-spread arms to welcome you, And we will shout a song so true That it shall ring for aye and aye. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO WALT WHITMAN by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET TWO RAMAGES FOR OLD MASTERS by ROBERT BLY QUIRKS: 2. THAT AFTERNOON I REMEMBERED by JOHN CIARDI READING WALT WHITMAN by CALVIN FORBES FOR WALT WHITMAN by DAVID IGNATOW WAITING INSIDE by DAVID IGNATOW WALT WHITMAN IN THE CIVIL WAR HOSPITALS by DAVID IGNATOW METAMORPHOSES: 3. PERSEUS (WALT WHITMAN) by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM A BACHELOR'S VALENTINE by RAY CLARKE ROSE |
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