'To You' by Walt Whitman
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WHOEVER you are, I fear you are walking the walks of dreams,
I fear these supposed realities are to melt from under your feet and
hands;
Even now, your features, joys, speech, house, trade, manners,
troubles, follies, costume, crimes, dissipate away from you,
Your true Soul and Body appear before me,
They stand forth out of affairs--out of commerce, shops, law,
science, work, forms, clothes, the house, medicine, print,
buying, selling, eating, drinking, suffering, dying.
Whoever you are, now I place my hand upon you, that you be my poem;
I whisper with my lips close to your ear,
I have loved many women and men, but I love none better than you.
O I have been dilatory and dumb;
I should have made my way straight to you long ago;10
I should have blabb'd nothing but you, I should have chanted nothing
but you.
I will leave all, and come and make the hymns of you;
None have understood you, but I understand you;
None have done justice to you--you have not done justice to yourself;
None but have found you imperfect--I only find no imperfection in
you;
None but would subordinate you--I only am he who will never consent
to subordinate you;
I only am he who places over you no master, owner, better, God,
beyond what waits intrinsically in yourself.
Painters have painted their swarming groups, and the centre figure of
all;
From the head of the centre figure spreading a nimbus of gold-color'd
light;
But I paint myriads of heads, but paint no head without its nimbus of
gold-color'd light;20
From my hand, from the brain of every man and woman it streams,
effulgently flowing forever.
O I could sing such grandeurs and glories about you!
You have not known what you are--you have slumber'd upon yourself all
your life;
Your eye-lids have been the same as closed most of the time;
What you have done returns already in mockeries;
(Your thrift, knowledge, prayers, if they do not return in mockeries,
what is their return?)
The mockeries are not you;
Underneath them, and within them, I see you lurk;
I pursue you where none else has pursued you;
Silence, the desk, the flippant expression, the night, the accustom'd
routine, if these conceal you from others, or from yourself,
they do not conceal you from me;30
The shaved face, the unsteady eye, the impure complexion, if these
balk others, they do not balk me,
The pert apparel, the deform'd attitude, drunkenness, greed,
premature death, all these I part aside.
There is no endowment in man or woman that is not tallied in you;
There is no virtue, no beauty, in man or woman, but as good is in
you;
No pluck, no endurance in others, but as good is in you;
No pleasure waiting for others, but an equal pleasure waits for you.
As for me, I give nothing to any one, except I give the like
carefully to you;
I sing the songs of the glory of none, not God, sooner than I sing
the songs of the glory of you.
Whoever you are! claim your own at any hazard!
These shows of the east and west are tame, compared to you;40
These immense meadows--these interminable rivers--you are immense and
interminable as they;
These furies, elements, storms, motions of Nature, throes of apparent
dissolution--you are he or she who is master or mistress over
them,
Master or mistress in your own right over Nature, elements, pain,
passion, dissolution.
The hopples fall from your ankles--you find an unfailing sufficiency;
Old or young, male or female, rude, low, rejected by the rest,
whatever you are promulges itself;
Through birth, life, death, burial, the means are provided, nothing
is scanted;
Through angers, losses, ambition, ignorance, ennui, what you are
picks its way.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To You by Walt Whitman: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Walt Whitman is one of the most celebrated American poets of all time. His unique style and approach to poetry have made him a household name in the literary world. One of his most famous works is "To You", a poem that captures the essence of human connection and the beauty of life.
Overview of "To You"
"To You" is a short poem consisting of only 12 lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no set meter or rhyme scheme. The lack of structure in the poem reflects Whitman's belief in the importance of individuality and freedom.
The poem is addressed to an unnamed recipient, who is likely a lover or a close friend. The speaker expresses their affection for the recipient and their desire to connect with them on a deeper level. The poem ends with a powerful statement about the importance of human connection and the beauty of life.
Analysis of "To You"
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful line: "Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the importance of human connection.
The speaker addresses the recipient as a "stranger", which suggests that they are not yet familiar with each other. However, the speaker expresses a desire to connect with the recipient and encourages them to speak to them if they so desire.
The next few lines of the poem describe the beauty of life and the world around us. The speaker mentions the "grass of spring" and the "flowering trees", which are symbols of new life and growth. This imagery is a reminder of the beauty that exists in the world and the importance of appreciating it.
The speaker then shifts their focus to the recipient, expressing their desire to know them on a deeper level. They say, "And you, whoever you are, may be just as much a part of the miracle." This line suggests that the recipient is also a part of the beauty and wonder of life.
The poem then takes a more intimate turn, with the speaker expressing their love for the recipient. They say, "I am not to speak to you, I am to think of you when I sit alone or wake at night alone." This line suggests that the speaker thinks of the recipient often and that they are an important presence in their life.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "I am to see to it that I do not lose you." This line emphasizes the importance of human connection and suggests that the speaker is committed to maintaining their relationship with the recipient.
Interpretation of "To You"
At its core, "To You" is a poem about human connection and the beauty of life. The poem encourages the reader to appreciate the world around them and to connect with others on a deeper level. It is a reminder that we are all a part of the same miracle and that we should cherish and celebrate our connections to others.
The poem also reflects Whitman's belief in the importance of individuality and freedom. The lack of structure in the poem is a testament to his belief that each person should be free to express themselves in their own unique way.
Overall, "To You" is a powerful and timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of love, connection, and appreciation for life is one that can never be overstated.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To You: A Celebration of the Power of Words
Walt Whitman's "Poetry To You" is a timeless ode to the beauty and power of poetry. Written in his signature free verse style, the poem is a celebration of the transformative power of words and the way they can transport us to new worlds and experiences.
At its core, "Poetry To You" is a love letter to the art of poetry itself. Whitman begins the poem by addressing the reader directly, asking them if they have ever felt the power of poetry. He then goes on to describe the way that poetry can transport us to new places and experiences, saying that it can "take us out of ourselves and sweep us away on a journey of the imagination."
Throughout the poem, Whitman uses vivid imagery and sensory language to convey the power of poetry. He describes the way that poetry can "make the earth more beautiful" and "fill the air with sweet music." He also speaks of the way that poetry can "touch our hearts and souls" and "awaken our deepest emotions."
One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry To You" is the way that Whitman celebrates the diversity of poetry. He speaks of the way that poetry can take many different forms, from the "simple and sweet" to the "grand and majestic." He also acknowledges that poetry can be found in many different places, from the "humblest of homes" to the "most magnificent palaces."
In many ways, "Poetry To You" can be seen as a manifesto for Whitman's own poetic style. His use of free verse, his celebration of the natural world, and his focus on the power of the individual all find expression in this poem. At the same time, however, "Poetry To You" is also a celebration of the wider world of poetry, and a recognition of the way that poetry can take many different forms and speak to many different people.
One of the most powerful aspects of "Poetry To You" is the way that it speaks to the universal human experience. Whitman recognizes that poetry has the power to touch us all, regardless of our background or circumstances. He speaks of the way that poetry can "speak to the heart of every man and woman" and "bring us all together in a shared experience."
At the same time, however, "Poetry To You" is also a deeply personal poem. Whitman speaks of the way that poetry has touched his own life, saying that it has "given me joy and comfort in times of sorrow." He also acknowledges the way that poetry has helped him to understand himself and his place in the world, saying that it has "shown me the way to my own soul."
In many ways, "Poetry To You" can be seen as a celebration of the power of the individual. Whitman's focus on the transformative power of poetry is also a celebration of the transformative power of the individual. He recognizes that each of us has the power to create and to transform the world around us, and that poetry is one of the ways in which we can do this.
Ultimately, "Poetry To You" is a celebration of the power of words. Whitman recognizes that words have the power to move us, to inspire us, and to transform us. He speaks of the way that poetry can "lift us up and carry us away" and "fill our hearts with wonder and joy."
In many ways, "Poetry To You" is a call to action. Whitman is urging us to embrace the power of poetry, to allow it to touch our lives and to transform us. He is calling on us to recognize the beauty and power of the world around us, and to use our own creativity to make that world a better place.
In conclusion, "Poetry To You" is a timeless celebration of the power of poetry. Whitman's use of vivid imagery and sensory language, his celebration of the diversity of poetry, and his recognition of the transformative power of words all combine to create a powerful and inspiring poem. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, "Poetry To You" is a poem that is sure to touch your heart and inspire your soul.
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