'Gliding Over All' by Walt Whitman

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GLIDING o'er all, through all,
Through Nature, Time, and Space,
As a ship on the waters advancing,
The voyage of the soul--not life alone,
Death, many deaths I'll sing.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Gliding Over All: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Wow. Just wow. Walt Whitman's "Gliding Over All" is simply a masterpiece of poetry. It's hard to put into words just how much this poem moves me, but I'll do my best in this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation.

First off, let's talk about the title. "Gliding Over All." It's so simple, yet so evocative. What does it mean to "glide over all"? Is it a reference to the way a bird might soar over the landscape, taking in everything from above? Or is it a metaphor for a more spiritual or transcendental experience, where one's consciousness "glides over" the mundane details of everyday life to reach a higher state of being? Perhaps it's both, or neither. The beauty of this title is that it invites us to explore its meaning for ourselves.

Moving on to the poem itself, we're immediately struck by its structure: a series of ten three-line stanzas, each consisting of a single sentence. This creates a sense of continuity and flow throughout the poem, as if we're gliding along with the speaker on a journey of discovery. The lines themselves are short and simple, yet they pack a powerful punch. Consider the opening stanza:

Gliding o’er all, through all,
Through Nature, Time, and Space,
As a ship on the waters advancing,
The voyage of the soul—not life alone,
Death, many deaths I’ll sing.

Right away, we're introduced to the central metaphor of the poem: the speaker, like a ship on the waters, is gliding over everything in the universe, from the smallest blade of grass to the vast expanse of time and space itself. And why? To sing about death. It's a bold statement, and one that sets the tone for the rest of the poem: we're about to embark on a journey that will encompass all of life and death, and everything in between.

As we continue reading, we're struck by the richness and intensity of the language. Whitman's love of lists and catalogues is on full display here, as he describes everything from "the cities of the interior" to "the pleasures of heaven" to "the horrors of hell." And yet, despite this apparent chaos, there's a sense of order and purpose to the poem. Each stanza builds on the one before it, creating a sense of momentum and inevitability. We're being led somewhere, and we can't help but follow.

One of the most striking aspects of "Gliding Over All" is its use of repetition. Throughout the poem, certain phrases and images recur, creating a sense of unity and coherence. Consider the following lines:

Strong is your hold, O mortal flesh,
Strong is your hold, O love.

Here, the speaker is addressing two different entities – mortal flesh and love – but he uses the same phrase to describe their strength. This creates a link between the two, suggesting that they're both equally powerful and essential to the human experience. Similarly, the phrase "the unseen is proved by the seen" appears twice in the poem, reinforcing the idea that everything in the universe is connected and interdependent.

Of course, no discussion of "Gliding Over All" would be complete without examining its treatment of death. Whitman is famous for his celebration of life, but he's equally interested in exploring the mysteries of death. Throughout the poem, he offers a variety of perspectives on what death means and how we should approach it. For example:

To die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.

Here, the speaker suggests that death is not something to be feared or mourned, but rather a natural and even fortunate part of the human experience. Later in the poem, he offers a more ambivalent view:

For we cannot tarry here,
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,
Pioneers! O pioneers!

This stanza seems to acknowledge the pain and sacrifice that comes with death, but also suggests that it's a necessary part of human progress. We can't stay in one place forever; we must keep moving forward, even if it means facing danger and uncertainty.

In conclusion, "Gliding Over All" is a tour de force of poetry. Its use of repetition, imagery, and structure creates a sense of unity and coherence that draws the reader in and carries them along on a journey of discovery. Whitman's exploration of life and death is both profound and accessible, inviting us to ponder the biggest questions of existence while still delighting in the beauty of the world around us. If you haven't read this poem yet, do yourself a favor and dive in. You won't regret it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Gliding Over All: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, the American poet, essayist, and journalist, is known for his unique style of writing that celebrates the beauty of life and nature. His works have inspired generations of poets and readers, and his influence can be seen in the works of many contemporary writers. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Gliding Over All," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his writing style and philosophy.

The poem, which was first published in 1865, is a part of Whitman's collection of poems, Leaves of Grass. It is a short but powerful piece that explores the relationship between poetry and the universe. The poem begins with the lines, "Poetry gliding over all the surfaces of the earth, / Roaming eye, darting free, / Rushing with supreme power to the sky."

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power and beauty of poetry. Whitman sees poetry as a force that can transcend all boundaries and connect us with the universe. He believes that poetry has the power to transform our lives and help us see the world in a new light.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. In the first stanza, Whitman describes poetry as a force that glides over the earth, exploring every surface and connecting us with the natural world. He sees poetry as a way to break down the barriers between us and the universe, allowing us to experience the beauty and wonder of nature.

In the second stanza, Whitman explores the power of poetry to connect us with the past and the future. He sees poetry as a way to transcend time and space, allowing us to connect with the great poets of the past and the future. He writes, "Through you I glide, / Through you I ascend to the highest, / Through you I become a divinity on the earth."

These lines capture the essence of Whitman's philosophy of poetry. He sees poetry as a way to connect us with the divine and to transcend our earthly limitations. He believes that poetry has the power to transform us and to help us see the world in a new light.

In the final stanza, Whitman explores the idea of poetry as a force that can transform the world. He sees poetry as a way to inspire us to action and to help us create a better world. He writes, "O great star disappear'd, / O the black murk that hides the star, / O cruel hands that hold me powerless, / O helpless soul of me!"

These lines capture the sense of frustration and despair that Whitman feels about the state of the world. He sees poetry as a way to break through the darkness and to inspire us to create a better world. He believes that poetry has the power to transform us and to help us create a brighter future.

In conclusion, "Poetry Gliding Over All" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Walt Whitman's philosophy of poetry. It celebrates the power and beauty of poetry and its ability to connect us with the universe. It is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of poetry and its ability to inspire us to create a better world. Whitman's legacy lives on in his works, and his influence can be seen in the works of many contemporary writers.

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