by Whitman · Cluster: Identity · Free Verse · Eternal Return
Abstract
Ars-poetica laws for American artists declaring man and woman as good as God; the artist and society, the self, and the divinity of the individual.
Connections
Topoi: Poet as Prophet Themes & Concepts: Artist and Society, Self, Liberty Political Freedom, Nationalism and Patriotism
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: AUTUMN RIVULETS
Laws for creations, For strong artists and leaders, for fresh broods of teachers and perfect literats for America, For noble savans and coming musicians. All must have reference to the ensemble of the world, and the compact truth of the world, There shall be no subject too pronounced—all works shall illustrate the divine law of indirections.
What do you suppose creation is? What do you suppose will satisfy the soul, except to walk free and own no superior? What do you suppose I would intimate to you in a hundred ways, but that man or woman is as good as God? And that there is no God any more divine than Yourself? And that that is what the oldest and newest myths finally mean? And that you or any one must approach creations through such laws?