Response Post

Response to  Meagan's blog

As a reader and writer (I can call myself that right?) I am inexplicitly drawn to Whitman.  I (like Meagan) don’t agree with Whitman, but I am still fascinated with his writings.

I think I finally figured out the other day why his writing impacts me as a writer.  I think Whitman’s Song of Myself (and perhaps other of his works) was what I like to call “a genius moment”.  What is a Genius moment? Glad you asked.

Muses in Raphael's Parnassus (1511)

Genius Moments

Firstly, I would like to clarify that having a genius moment does not mean one is a genius or even had a thought that was truly genius. I get them and am clearly not a genius of any sort.

A "genius moment" is when one is able to place everything together, realize connections or purpose, and figure out how to catch, connect and explain thoughts/ideas/systems/and so on.  It is the moment when I can connect everything somehow and realize I need to express it. 

I get them sometimes when writing essays.  The moments of inspiration that lead one to change their thesis.  Perhaps in ancient Greece this would be when the Muses are speaking to you. 

For Clarification

A "duh" moment is when something hits you that you should have realized all along, and the things I call "genius moments" involved working through a thought in one's head or on paper.  (I am sure there is some psychological or philosophical term for what I am describing, but calling it a genius moment makes me feel better about myself) 

  

A Long explanation needs a Simple Answer

So I like Whitman because I get it.  It makes sense to me even if I don’t agree.  I see him having a genius moment and want to share in it.  

Questions???

Question 1 Why, Hello Whitman! I love Whitman’s poetry but strongly disagree with his ideology.  I know language can be so lovely it transcends meaning.  But I still struggle with this question. Is it really possible to separate Whitman’s ideology from his poetry even though this was an important reason behind his poetry?  Question 2 As much as I would love to ask a question about Frederick Douglass, Emily Dickinson, or William Parker, I fear I have to ask another about Whitman.  From the multiple editions of Leaves of Grass I would assume Whitman edited his poetry.  How the heck do you edit and not polish poetry? How does it stay raw and so naturally lovely after editing? Is this the result of editing or a naturally lovely poetic voice in its raw form?  Is the “raw” what makes it lovely? Is it his natural beat we hear in his poetry? I believe that some poets are born with a natural rhythm and you can almost feel it in their poetry.

Rabbit Trail-- Walt Whitman

A Complex Relationship

I would like to say that I strongly disagree with a large percentage (if not the majority) of beliefs and feelings that Whitman champions in his poetry.  The equality for all people I completely agree with, but his spiritual/soul stuff not at all.

That being said, I love LOVE Whitman! (This is one of those rare sentences that actually merits an exclamation point.)

Just Friends? 

A New Love 

I still cannot believe that I only first read Whitman less than a year ago.  Though, I am quite thankful that I developed a strong moral and emotional stance long before I stumbled through Song of Myself.

Goodness, I don’t even know where to begin with Whitman. 

Why Do I Love It So?

I love section 5 of Song of Myself, just love it, I mean I really really love it. The third stanza? Yeah, I know what he is referencing.  However, I cannot stop myself from loving it.  And Damn it if that is the loveliest description of that action I have ever heard. (this section requires close reading and candle light ha ha ha!)   

And is he really comparing this act to his relationship with his soul?  When thinking about Whitman, I can’t even write straight.  Of course neither could he. J 
Yep. I just went there.  Of course the only one who could say for certain regarding those matters it Whitman himself.  And even if we could ask he probably wouldn't give a straight answer.  So Why? I do not have the faintest clue how to describe it.

---

TRICKLE DROPS.

TRICKLE drops! my blue veins leaving!

O drops of me! trickle, slow drops,

Candid from me falling, drip, bleeding drops,

From wounds made to free you whence you were prison'd,

From my face, from my forehead and lips,

From my breast, from within where I was conceal'd, press forth          red drops, confession drops,

Stain every page, stain every song I sing, every word I say, bloody          drops,

Let them know your scarlet heat, let them glisten,

Saturate them with yourself all ashamed and wet,

Glow upon all I have written or shall write, bleeding drops,

Let it all be seen in your light, blushing drops. -- Walt Whitman From the Calamus section of Leaves of Grass  (I like to call it the Yaoi section.)

Seriously.  My goodness. I sure love structured poetry but free-verse-genius poems make me feel all. . . . hmmm. . . I am sure Whitman could describe my feelings in some extremely sexual way.     (\__/) (='.'=) – “Because I naughty naughty!” (")_(")                       (Bunny! Super Junior? Really? And That is only why YOU like Whitman!)