Part X (Lines 26-40)

Summary: He's on the prowl and ready to make a move. He tells them, "It is I, you women..." and he gets ready to place his life giving substance where it was meant to be. Whitman is ready to inspire and be the catalyst for the birth of generations of singers, and architects, and lawyers. He moves from the physical "now" to the future and result of this love-making.

Commentary: I do enjoy the fact that this sex isn’t just sex. "I shall count on the fruits of the gushing showers of them, as I count on the fruits of the gushing showers I give now, I shall look for loving crops from the birth, life, death, immortality, I plant so lovingly now." There is actually a purpose, to birth generations of beautiful people. Not that there shouldn't be any recreational sex, there should be (!) within the right context. This sex is, theoretically, exactly as it should be. Well since he’s not having sex with his wife, he's got the idea half right. The best sex is the married kind...so I’ve heard. I wouldn’t know. But I hope it’s true...if not, I think I might be a little upset. Seriously. Hah (;

Part IIIIV (Lines 16-25)

Summary: The women, who desire him, understand him and are deemed worthy love-makers. He finds them completely equal and competent sexual partners. They can essentially carry their own weight in the bedroom. They are, “ultimate in their own right." Wants women like that and he refuses t let them go. Whitman I convinced he would do them good. He acknowledges one ultimate truth; man is made for woman and woman for man, not only for pleasure but for the sake of the world.

Commentary: Ahhh Woman for Man and Man for Woman. I agree with that, completely. I am for you, and you are for me, not only for our own sake, but for others' sakes..." Gay rights? I thought he was gay...? I mean I heard he was gay, not that it makes any difference to me, but if he's gay then...this poem...uhh shouldnt really apply? Oh yes, he not one for labels so maybe he likes both. "I draw you close to me, you women!" He is a walking contradiction so I am not surprised. Ha-ha. I do love how even when talking about sex, you take a deeper meaning from his writing than what he's actually talking about. I really hope these thoughts are coherent. If not, sorry. (:

"A Woman Waits For Me" (Part IIIV: Lines 1-15)

Summary: This poem begins describing sex and all it contains. Whitman believes sex is deeper than just the physical but souls, minds, bodies. It has everything and he explains that sex contains all the mysteries of the world. To him, there is no shame from either party. He refuses those that seem impassive and only pleasure those that burn with passion for him.

Commentary: At first glance, this poem seems exceedingly raunchy but it's deeper than that. People my age assume that sex is just an action, but in reality it's SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. Whitman realizes this also, "Sex contains all, Bodies, Souls, meanings, proofs, purities, delicacies, results, promulgations, Songs, commands, health, pride, the maternal mystery, the seminal milk; All hopes, benefactions, bestowals, All the passions, loves, beauties, delights of the earth, All the governments, judges, gods, follow'd persons of the earth, These are contain'd in sex, as parts of itself, and justifications of itself." If only more people realized this, maybe people would be hurt less because they'd make more informed decisions about sex. I don’t think this was the purpose Whitman had in mind when writing this, but his words definitely struck me as something teens today need to hear.

Part IIV (Pgs; 48-52)

Summary: He continues on the overlying theme of one’s equality with God, the earth, the dirt, the wonders of the world, the dead, and the living. He talks about God being in everything and him in everything also. He is at peace with God and himself; he is comfortable in his lack of understanding. He discusses the relation between life and death. To him, they are interchangeable He then enters this place where he is not clear about what exactly "it" is but that 'it" is bigger than we can understand. He encourages us to move forward with him but apart from him. He will wait for us.

Commentary: "Do you not see it O my brothers and sisters? It is not chaos or death-- it is form, union, plan-- it is eternal life--it is happiness..." Whatever "it" is, it seems to be a fluid substance, I imagine "it" is whatever we need "it:" to be. It's our happiness, its love, its peace, its happiness, and joy, and sorrow, and everything good that exists. This poem was a journey through Walt Whitman and, eerily, us too. "I stop somewhere waiting for you." He as triggered the wheels of our mind to begin to turn and explore who we really are. It makes sense that he'd rather us be, "wicked rather than virtuous out of conformity or fear." That makes perfect sense to me.

Part VI (Pgs: 45-48)

Summary: Whitman explores the continuum to which things exist. We are all on a road alone but simultaneously together; it is a place that no one can plan for you. You must take it as it comes. Walt Whitman sets us up to either begin or continue this journey with a new and open mind. He talks about questioning and how it's normal, but that he can’t give answers. We must seek. When we grow weary and tired, he will be there and one day we will return the favor (he is immortal after all.) He develops an understanding of his transcendence into everything.

 Commentary: "If you would understand me go to the heights or water-shore, the nearest gnat is an explanation, and a drop or motion of waves a key..." I love how he is able to find answers in things normally overlooked. He's able to find a puzzle in his life’s journey within the blades of wet grass or the irises of a little girl or blood from a gazelle carcass. It's remarkable, honestly. And although he claims teaching, "I am the teacher of athletes." I feel he challenges us to think for ourselves. Not necessarily "teaching" us how to do it, but more showing us. But then again he does say, “I teach straying away from me, yet who can stray from me."

Part V (Pgs: 41-45)

Summary: Here, Whitman talks religion. He takes them all for what they are worth and leaves it at that. He explains he believes they all exist but equating his existence with theirs, painting the picture of himself with some of their characteristics. He considers revelations the same as "a curl of smoke or a hair on the back of my hand." He recounts divinity in simple situations. He, as well as you and I, are creators in our own rights. His faith is no greater or less than any other; he appreciates all faiths, as we should. He strips away what is known to challenge us to seek the unknown.

Commentary: Aghhhh! This is a hard one to comment on. I AGREE. Although I probably shouldn't. But why not, who says? "Sermons, creed, theology--but the fathomless human brain, and what is reason? And what is love? And what is life?" These are all questions I've been pondering lately...what are these things we claim to know so well but really have no clue what they truly are? It's not that I don't have faith in God, I don't have... Well I'm not really sure, but my faith in God is there. II am sort of in agreement with Whitman, however, is it that I'm not sure that there is ONE perfect religion? I appreciate them all, even though I am a Christian. I do believe in Christ, as Whitman does, "Accepting the Gospels, accepting him that was crucified, knowing assuredly that he is Divine..." but also believing, "My faith is the greatest of faiths and the least of faiths..." I don't think I make much sense. I'm still trying to figure it all out but this poem is inspiring serious thought.

Part IV (Pgs: 34-41)

Summary: The mood of the poem changes as he discusses the fall of Alamo and the brutal massacre of four-hundred and twelve young men. He describes the sight in great detail and then describes the murder of a calm little captain. After realizing that he cannot be removed from other peoples suffering, he internalizes all the pain he wrote of and encourages us to do the same. "Embody all presences outlaw'd or suffering." He is an active part of all injustices and sorrows. Whitman talks about giving the world himself; it doesn't matter who we are exactly but he gives anyway.

Commentary: I often struggle with this! People I know, including my parents, fail to understand how I can be so affected by things that don't even happen to me. This section caused me to realize (kind of) that it’s not only me who feels these things. In a way, I internalize other people’s pain also. "By God, you shall not go down! hang your whole weight upon me. I dilate you with tremendous breath, I buoy you up..." It may not be the healthiest thing ever but I suppose it's because I have a pretty big heart. Is that weird? I feel like it is...but whatever. I feel like that's just part of the way I was made, much like Walt Whitman. I never thought I’d be able to relate to a twentieth century author, but hey, I guess that's why they’re classics.

Part III (Pgs: 25-34)

Summary: Whitman now equates his audience and himself with the beauty and splendor of the sun by telling us that we're dazzling and tremendous like the sun. He doesn't even feel the need to prove his accusations because his silence "confounds the skeptic." He refuses to reveal exactly who he is and continues to let the world around him write his song. All the sounds and voices of nature and people are woven into the fabric of the song of himself. Everything passes through him and is added to his song (our song too.) Further in this section his words get erotic and sensual when talking about touch and the "treacherous tip of him reaching and crowding to help them..."

Commentary: I thought this part was rather lengthy and uninteresting. I had to read the part about touch over because I didn't get what he was saying or talking about. I read it like four times and I was like "ohh...ew." Ha-ha but his writing is phenomenal. "Agonies are one of my changes of garments, I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person..." You really have to pay attention to what he's saying because there is lots of wisdom in his words. I am beginning to like this poem more and more despite the slow and overly descriptive parts. I do really enjoy how the poem is about Walt Whitman's song of himself but it’s also applicable to others on their journey in life.

Part II (Pgs 15-25)

Summary: This portion of "Song of Myself" starts off with everyone in their place; everyone is "at their post" so to speak. "The canal boy trots on the tow-path, the book-keeper counts at his desk..." Then everything sleeps. In all of these events with everyone in their place he continually weaves the "song of [himself.] He affirms his conclusion that he is in and a part of everything. He explains how he "is old and young." Whitman shows no favoritism. He goes on to reveal his purpose and put it plainly, "I exist as I am, that is enough,"

Commentary: Personally, I feel like this guy, no matter how beautifully he puts it, is a walking contradiction. "Of every hue and caste am I, of every rank and religion, A farmer, mechanic, artist, gentleman, sailor, Quaker, prisoner, fancy-man, rowdy, lawyer, physician, priest..." I mean, the writing is great! But as much as we want to be connected to everything and everybody, we, in a sense, are, BUT we will always be ourselves and that's it. We can expand that definition I suppose...what is “myself." You know? Who defines such? God? Whitman’s not much of a "God" advocate...well his definition of God isn't really mine so I guess he can define himself as anything he wants. I consider myself and God in everything too, but I think the difference between Walt Whitman and I is that to him, everything is equal. God, the flowers, his soul, drunkards, to him they are all the same. I guess I just can’t agree with that.

"Song of Myself" Part I (Pgs: 1-15)

Summary: The poem "Song of Myself" starts off explaining who Walt Whitman is. He talks about his connection to every person and everything that ever was and has ever been and how we are all connected. With all of that he talks about his oneness with nature and how unlimited he and nature are. He talks about the murder/suicide of a mother and her baby, hunting, helping a runaway slave, and witnessing a Native American marriage. At the end of this section Whitman portrays the perspective of a woman observing twenty-eight young men bathing and her desire to observe them.

Commentary: At first, this poem seemed like it was going to be spacey and boring, but as I kept reading likes such as, "Nor any more youth or age than there is now, And will never be any more perfection than there is now, Nor any more heaven or hell than there is now." caught my attention. His perspective on life was strangely optimistic. He seemed to be at peace with everything and himself...he seems to be in love with the beauty of his existence and all that that entails...it's beautiful really. "I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait."