by Whitman · Cluster: Nature · Book of Nature · Natural Order
Abstract
An ars-poetica parable of the poet as reconciler standing between Nature and the Soul of man, joining their hands and blending them into one.
Connections
Topoi: Poet as Prophet Motifs: Nature Themes & Concepts: Self-Knowledge, Artist and Society, Self and Cosmos Forms & Genres: Free Verse
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: GOOD-BYE MY FANCY
When the full-grown poet came,
Out spake pleased Nature (the round impassive globe, with all its
shows of day and night,) saying, He is mine;
But out spake too the Soul of man, proud, jealous and unreconciled,
Nay he is mine alone;
—Then the full-grown poet stood between the two, and took each
by the hand;
And to-day and ever so stands, as blender, uniter, tightly holding hands,
Which he will never release until he reconciles the two,
And wholly and joyously blends them.