by Whitman · Cluster: Journey · Ship
Abstract
A meditation on death as the lingering, reluctant final farewell of a friend departing into darkness on a journey of no return.
Connections
Topoi: Night Journey Vision Motifs: Death, Journey, Night Themes & Concepts: Mortality, Friendship Forms & Genres: Free Verse
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: SANDS AT SEVENTY
After the supper and talk—after the day is done,
As a friend from friends his final withdrawal prolonging,
Good-bye and Good-bye with emotional lips repeating,
(So hard for his hand to release those hands—no more will they meet,
No more for communion of sorrow and joy, of old and young,
A far-stretching journey awaits him, to return no more,)
Shunning, postponing severance—seeking to ward off the last word
ever so little,
E’en at the exit-door turning—charges superfluous calling back—
e’en as he descends the steps,
Something to eke out a minute additional—shadows of nightfall deepening,
Farewells, messages lessening—dimmer the forthgoer’s visage and form,
Soon to be lost for aye in the darkness—loth, O so loth to depart!
Garrulous to the very last.