“Song of Myself”

“Song of Myself”
Walt Whitman

I am fascinated and intrigued with the wide variety of issues that the author is dealing with through out all of the different sections in this poem. I did not want to stop reading what his next thoughts were going to be.
I found several sections that I really like. Here are a couple of the sections that I think relate to me.

Section 2; line 34
“You shall no longer take things second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, not feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, not take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them out for your self.”

I love this because it is telling us to get out, get involved, think, and know things for ourselves. Do not be that person who does something only because others are saying it is what we should do. I have said something similar to this to people when it comes time to vote. Know who and what you are voting for. I think the author is trying to make the point that it is important for each of us to make sure you are doing what we believe in, not what others may tell us to believe in. Be Educated! When we educate ourselves by researching and finding out information we are becoming strong individuals and creating values.

Section 4; line 71
“The sickness of one of my folks or of myself, or ill-doing or loss or lack of money, or depressions or exaltations,
Battles the horrors of fratricidal war, the fever of doubtful news, the fitful events;
These come to me days and nights and go from me again.
But they are not the Me myself.”
It goes on to say (line 78)
“Looking with side-curved head curious what will come next,”

When I read this part of the poem I could not help but stop and wonder if this is how people in our nation are feeling right now with the uncertainly of our economy. With all the job losses or ‘lack of money’, which in turn causes ‘depressions’ among many, there are several of us ‘Curious what will come next’.

I also really enjoyed reading sections 32 and 44. If you are interested look them up.

On That Day

On that day I was excited yet nervous at the same time. Awaiting for the best gift to be given to me. When she arrived she was beautiful. Her skin so soft, dark hair, and her perfect charcoal eyes staring up at me. Finally, I was mom.