by Whitman · Cluster: Stars · Night · Military Camp
Abstract
At twilight the aged poet, like an old broken soldier answering roll-call after the Civil War, reports still alive and saluting the Officer over all.
Connections
Motifs: Night Themes & Concepts: Mortality, Memory and Time, Grief and Loss, Faith Forms & Genres: Free Verse Historical References: American Civil War
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: GOOD-BYE MY FANCY
After surmounting three-score and ten,
With all their chances, changes, losses, sorrows,
My parents’ deaths, the vagaries of my life, the many tearing
passions of me, the war of ’63 and ’4,
As some old broken soldier, after a long, hot, wearying march, or
haply after battle,
To-day at twilight, hobbling, answering company roll-call, Here,
with vital voice,
Reporting yet, saluting yet the Officer over all.