'Poets to Come' by Walt Whitman


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POETS to come! orators, singers, musicians to come!
Not to-day is to justify me, and answer what I am for;
But you, a new brood, native, athletic, continental, greater than
before known,
Arouse! Arouse--for you must justify me--you must answer.

I myself but write one or two indicative words for the future,
I but advance a moment, only to wheel and hurry back in the darkness.

I am a man who, sauntering along, without fully stopping, turns a
casual look upon you, and then averts his face,
Leaving it to you to prove and define it,
Expecting the main things from you.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Poets to Come by Walt Whitman: An Exciting Exploration of the Future of Poetry

When Walt Whitman wrote Poetry, Poets to Come, he wasn't just imagining a future of poetry, he was actively shaping it. Known for his unconventional style and free verse, Whitman paved the way for generations of poets to come. In this poem, he not only celebrates the future of poetry but also anticipates the poets who will create it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, structure, and imagery of this iconic piece of poetry.

Themes

One of the central themes of Poetry, Poets to Come is the idea of the poet as a visionary. Whitman imagines a future where poets will conjure images that are beyond the present reality. He says, "Poets to come! / Not to-day is to justify me and answer what I am for, / But you, a new brood, native, athletic, continental, greater than before." Here, Whitman is calling on the poets of the future to surpass him and to create a new kind of poetry that is even more significant than what he created.

Another theme that Whitman explores in this poem is the idea of poetry as a source of power. He writes, "Poets to come! orators, singers, musicians to come! / Not to-day is to justify me and answer what I am for, / But you, a new brood, native, athletic, continental, greater than before." Here, Whitman is suggesting that poetry has the power to transform the world and that the poets of the future will have even greater ability to inspire and influence people through their work.

Structure

Poetry, Poets to Come is a relatively short poem, consisting of only twelve lines. However, Whitman packs a lot of meaning into these lines, using repetition and imagery to create a sense of momentum and urgency. The poem is written in free verse, without any strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Whitman to create a sense of freedom and spontaneity, reflecting the theme of poetry as an unbounded force.

The poem is divided into two parts, separated by a line break. The first part consists of the opening lines, where Whitman addresses the poets of the future directly. The second part elaborates on the themes introduced in the first part, using repetition and imagery to create a sense of building momentum. By the end of the poem, the reader is left with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the poetry of the future.

Imagery

Whitman uses vivid and evocative imagery throughout Poetry, Poets to Come to paint a picture of the future of poetry. For example, he writes, "I see that the word of my city is that word up there, / Because I see that word nested in nests of water-bays, / superb, / Rich, hemm'd thick all around with sailships and steamships, an island sixteen miles long, solid-founded, / Numberless crowded streets, high growths of iron, slender, strong, light, splendidly uprising toward clear skies." Here, Whitman is describing the city as a place of endless potential, with towering buildings and ships indicating the power of human ingenuity.

Whitman also uses repetition to create a sense of momentum and urgency in the poem. For example, he repeats the phrase "Poets to come!" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the future of poetry. He also repeats the phrase "Not to-day" multiple times, contrasting the present with the future and underscoring the idea that the poets who will shape the future of poetry are not yet here.

Conclusion

Poetry, Poets to Come is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the future of poetry while also anticipating the poets who will shape it. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and free verse, Walt Whitman creates a sense of excitement and urgency that inspires readers to imagine what the future of poetry could be. This poem serves as a reminder that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a force that has the power to shape the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Poets to Come: A Celebration of the Future of Poetry

Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, wrote Poetry Poets to Come as a celebration of the future of poetry. In this poem, Whitman expresses his excitement and anticipation for the poets of the future who will continue to push the boundaries of poetry and create new forms of expression.

The poem begins with the line, "Poets to come! orators, singers, musicians to come!" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Whitman eagerly anticipates the arrival of new poets who will bring their own unique talents and perspectives to the world of poetry.

Whitman then goes on to describe the qualities that he hopes these future poets will possess. He writes, "Not to-day is to justify me and answer what I am for, / But you, a new brood, native, athletic, continental, greater than before." Here, Whitman is expressing his desire for the poets of the future to be even greater than those who came before them. He wants them to be "athletic" and "continental," suggesting that they will be strong and expansive in their creativity.

Throughout the poem, Whitman uses vivid imagery to describe the world that these future poets will inhabit. He writes, "The world is not a conclusion, / A rendezvous of finality, a rendezvous of them that exist, and have existed, / The past and present wilt—I have filled them, emptied them, / And proceed to fill my next fold of the future." Here, Whitman is suggesting that the future is open and full of possibility, and that the poets of the future will be able to shape it in new and exciting ways.

Whitman also expresses his hope that these future poets will be able to capture the essence of the world around them in their poetry. He writes, "The poets of the future are to be / The aroma of their own time, / The breathing of their own country, / The browning of their own noon or night." Here, Whitman is suggesting that the poets of the future will be able to capture the unique qualities of their own time and place in their poetry, creating a sense of connection and understanding between themselves and their readers.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Poets to Come is the way in which Whitman celebrates the diversity of the future poets he envisions. He writes, "Not the book needs so much to be the complete thing, / But the swarming, teeming, living soul, / In each iota, detail, native, and divine." Here, Whitman is suggesting that it is not just the words on the page that matter, but the unique perspective and voice of each individual poet. He celebrates the idea of a "swarming, teeming, living soul" of poets, each bringing their own unique perspective and voice to the world of poetry.

Throughout the poem, Whitman also emphasizes the importance of innovation and experimentation in poetry. He writes, "The new voices of the poets / The new strong voices, / The smashing of the usual lines and curves." Here, Whitman is suggesting that the poets of the future will need to break free from the constraints of traditional poetry and create new forms of expression that are uniquely their own.

At the heart of Poetry Poets to Come is Whitman's belief in the power of poetry to connect people and create a sense of community. He writes, "The poets of the future will come together with joy, / They will know each other and understand each other, / And will welcome each other with love." Here, Whitman is suggesting that the poets of the future will be able to create a sense of connection and understanding between themselves and their readers, bringing people together through the power of their words.

In conclusion, Poetry Poets to Come is a celebration of the future of poetry and the poets who will shape it. Whitman's excitement and anticipation for the poets of the future is palpable throughout the poem, as he expresses his hope that they will be even greater than those who came before them. He celebrates the diversity of voices that will make up the world of poetry, and emphasizes the importance of innovation and experimentation in creating new forms of expression. Ultimately, Whitman's vision of the future of poetry is one of connection and community, as he believes that the poets of the future will be able to bring people together through the power of their words.

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