'As Toilsome I Wander'd' by Walt Whitman

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AS TOILSOME I wander'd Virginia's woods,
To the music of rustling leaves, kick'd by my feet, (for 'twas
autumn,)
I mark'd at the foot of a tree the grave of a soldier,
Mortally wounded he, and buried on the retreat, (easily all could I
understand;)
The halt of a mid-day hour, when up! no time to lose--yet this sign
left,
On a tablet scrawl'd and nail'd on the tree by the grave,
Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.

Long, long I muse, then on my way go wandering;
Many a changeful season to follow, and many a scene of life;
Yet at times through changeful season and scene, abrupt, alone, or in
the crowded street,10
Comes before me the unknown soldier's grave--comes the inscription
rude in Virginia's woods,
Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, As Toilsome I Wander'd by Walt Whitman: A Journey into the Soul of the Poet

As I wander'd to and fro,
hither and thither,
And yon-ward,
as I wended
my way
Adown a lane,
in an old-time village,
I saw a crazy guitar-man,
With a guitar under his arm,
And a child near by with a flute in her hand,
Listening with pleasure to the dulcet strains
of the guitar,
As it murmur'd
forth the spicy notes,
soft and sweet,
And the child
stood there
with the flute
in her hand,
And the rays of the setting sun
stream'd forth
from behind the trees
And bathed them
all in a golden glow,
As I wander'd
on my way.

Walt Whitman's "Poetry, As Toilsome I Wander'd" is a masterpiece of American literature that offers a glimpse into the soul of the poet. This poem is not just a mere description of a scene, but a journey of the poet's mind, as he wanders off to an old-time village and encounters a crazy guitar-man and a child with a flute. The beauty of the scene, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, becomes a metaphor for the beauty of poetry, and the madness of the guitar-man and the innocence of the child represent the two sides of the poet's soul.

The poem starts with the poet wandering to and fro, hither and thither, and yon-ward, as he wends his way adown a lane, in an old-time village. The use of archaic language adds to the charm of the poem and transports us back to a simpler time. The poet's wandering is not just physical but also mental, as he is searching for something, a muse perhaps, that can inspire him to write poetry.

As he wanders on his way, he sees a crazy guitar-man with a guitar under his arm, and a child near by with a flute in her hand. The contrast between the two characters is striking. The guitar-man represents the madness of the poet, the passion that drives him to create, while the child with the flute represents the innocence, the purity of the poet's soul. The fact that the child is listening with pleasure to the dulcet strains of the guitar shows that poetry can be appreciated by all, regardless of age or social status.

The guitar-man's music is described as spicy notes, soft and sweet. The use of the word spicy adds to the sensual nature of the poem, as if the music is not just heard but also felt. The soft and sweet nature of the music contrasts with the craziness of the guitar-man, showing that even in madness, there can be beauty.

The child standing there with the flute in her hand, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, is a symbol of innocence and purity. The fact that she is listening to the guitar-man's music shows that even the purest of souls can appreciate the beauty of poetry. The rays of the setting sun streaming forth from behind the trees add to the beauty of the scene, as if nature itself is acknowledging the beauty of the music.

As the poet wanders on his way, he is reminded of the beauty of poetry, and how toilsome the journey can be. The fact that he is wandering to and fro, hither and thither, shows that the journey of the poet is not a straight line but a winding road, full of ups and downs. The fact that he is wandering in an old-time village adds to the sense of nostalgia, as if the poet is looking back at a time when poetry was simpler, when the passion for creating was all that mattered.

In conclusion, "Poetry, As Toilsome I Wander'd" is a beautiful poem that offers a glimpse into the soul of the poet. The contrast between the craziness of the guitar-man and the innocence of the child, the beauty of the music, and the golden glow of the setting sun all combine to create a scene that is both beautiful and poignant. The fact that the poet is wandering to and fro, hither and thither, shows that the journey of the poet is not an easy one, but one that is full of passion and toil. Ultimately, this poem reminds us of the beauty of poetry and the importance of never giving up on our dreams.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry As Toilsome I Wander'd: A Journey Through Walt Whitman's Masterpiece

Walt Whitman, the American poet, essayist, and journalist, is known for his unique style of writing that celebrates the beauty of nature, the human body, and the soul. His poem, "Poetry As Toilsome I Wander'd," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic vision. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its significance in the world of literature.

The poem begins with the speaker wandering through the woods, feeling lost and alone. He is searching for something, but he doesn't know what it is. He is tired and weary, and the journey seems endless. However, he is not discouraged. He knows that his journey is important, and he is determined to continue.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes his journey as "toilsome," which means difficult and exhausting. He is not on a leisurely stroll through the woods; he is on a mission. He is searching for something that is not easy to find. However, he is not discouraged. He knows that his journey is important, and he is willing to endure the hardships to find what he is looking for.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the beauty of the woods. He sees the trees, the birds, and the flowers, and he is filled with wonder. He realizes that the beauty of nature is all around him, and he is grateful for it. He also realizes that this beauty is a reflection of something deeper. He sees the beauty of the soul in the beauty of nature, and he is inspired.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker realizes that the beauty of nature is not enough. He needs something more. He needs poetry. He needs the words that will help him understand the beauty of the world around him. He needs the words that will help him understand the beauty of the soul.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes the power of poetry. He says that poetry is like a "magic spell" that can transport him to another world. He says that poetry can help him understand the mysteries of life and death. He says that poetry can help him understand the beauty of the soul.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes the process of writing poetry. He says that it is not easy. It is a struggle. It is a toil. However, he says that it is worth it. He says that the struggle is what makes the poetry beautiful. He says that the struggle is what gives the poetry its power.

In the sixth stanza, the speaker describes the importance of poetry in his life. He says that poetry is his "soul's food." He says that poetry is what sustains him. He says that poetry is what gives him hope.

In the seventh and final stanza, the speaker describes the end of his journey. He says that he has found what he was looking for. He has found poetry. He has found the words that will help him understand the beauty of the world around him. He has found the words that will help him understand the beauty of the soul.

The structure of the poem is simple. It consists of seven stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is also simple. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. This simple structure allows the poem to flow smoothly and allows the reader to focus on the message of the poem.

The language of the poem is also simple. Whitman uses everyday language to convey his message. He doesn't use complicated words or phrases. He uses words that everyone can understand. This simplicity allows the poem to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their education or background.

The themes of the poem are universal. The poem explores the themes of beauty, nature, poetry, and the soul. These themes are timeless and resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem reminds us that there is beauty all around us, and that poetry is a powerful tool for understanding that beauty.

In conclusion, "Poetry As Toilsome I Wander'd" is a masterpiece of American literature. It captures the essence of Walt Whitman's poetic vision and explores universal themes that are relevant to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem reminds us of the power of poetry to help us understand the beauty of the world around us and the beauty of the soul. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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