I Am He That Aches With Love
July 6, 2023Hours Continuing Long
July 6, 2023How Solemn As One By One
HOW solemn, as one by one,
As the ranks returning, all worn and sweaty–as the men file by where
I stand;
As the faces, the masks appear–as I glance at the faces, studying
the masks;
(As I glance upward out of this page, studying you, dear friend,
whoever you are; )
How solemn the thought of my whispering soul, to each in the ranks,
and to you;
I see behind each mask, that wonder, a kindred soul;
O the bullet could never kill what you really are, dear friend,
Nor the bayonet stab what you really are:
… The soul! yourself I see, great as any, good as the best,
Waiting, secure and content, which the bullet could never kill,
Nor the bayonet stab, O friend!
Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, often referred to as the "father of free verse". His best-known work, "Leaves of Grass," is a celebration of American democracy, individualism, and the common people. Whitman's poetry also explored themes of sexuality and the body. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature.