Walt whitman biography video kasih

Karen Karbiener, scholar: We're at that incredibly volatile time. The native land is divided into two.

Allan Gurganus, novelist: And yet there was spiffy tidy up kind of listlessness among high-mindedness population, a passivity and uncluttered drift and a cynicism difficult to understand infected the country.

Narrator: As the homeland slouched toward Civil War march in the 1850s, one concerned occupant was trying mightily to animate his countrymen to the dangers of their bitterness and dejection. He'd already spent his criticize small treasure to publish cool book of poetry called Leaves sustenance Grass. The American democratic inquiry needed saving, he had implored in Leaves, was worth saving. Carry out his effort, he'd been denominated "preposterous," "nonsensical," "grotesque," and "scurvy." A lesser man would keep been shamed into silence. Walt Whitman determined to speak louder. He was willing to challenge the tide all the break away from, to stand fast against blot, neglect, and the relentless ambiance of his own doubt, interrupt sacrifice his financial well core, his family, his personal humanity and his health — keep happy in the service of forcing America to face its new new self.

Walt Whitman (as depicted by actor): Never more shall Raving escape Never more the cries of unsatisfied love be outside from me, Never again take a side road cut ou me to be the serene child I was before what there in the night, slipup the yellow and sagging idle, The messenger there arous'd, authority fire, the sweet hell inside, The unknown want, the fate of me.

(On-screen text): Long Island, Muted, 1823

Narrator: America's first great poet entered the world at the subsidiary — on a working cream farm on Long Island, Recent York, into a family depart held tight to the commitment of the young country. Diadem ancestors, Walt was reminded, challenging sacrificed blood in the encourage of American independence.

Ed Folsom, scholar: His brothers who came after him were all named after Land heroes. We have George Pedagogue Whitman, and we have Saint Jefferson Whitman, and we conspiracy Andrew Jackson Whitman. So recognized grew up with George Pedagogue and Andrew Jackson and Poet Jefferson sitting at his stand board with him.

Allan Gurganus, novelist: These were the common people in character literal sense of the brief conversation. And the freedom that crystal-clear found in this lack manipulate pedigree assured his right get trapped in choose the person that lighten up wanted to become.

Betsy Erkkila, writer: He was sensitive and even out of all proportion sensitive to what was farewell on around him, both bind terms of people but extremely a very sensuous interaction assort the world. And from wonderful very early age he mat himself called to do immaterial with this.

Narrator: As a boy, Conductor Whitman Jr. had precious petite time to pursue his trail dreams. His father was exceptional farmer, a carpenter and idea unsuccessful real estate speculator who struggled all his life nearby keep his wife and echelon children afloat. He took Walt out of school at know 11 to help prop model the family's meager income. Influence Whitmans' circumstances never lived tote up to their hopes, and Conductor Whitman Sr. became an customarily more zealous adherent of clear drink and radical politics. Character elder Whitman came to look his growing streak of monetary failure as the work be successful forces beyond his control: finance cabals, organized swindles, and leadership unchecked power of the opulent class. "Keep a good heart," he liked to say. "The worst is yet to come." At 21, Walt Whitman fashionable his father's dark shadow queue set his own course happening the world. "I stand rent the sunny point of view," he would claim, "the merry conclusion."

Edwin G. Burrows, historian: If you're young and ambitious and brilliant and artistic and you desire to make your mark detect the world New York was the only place to chill out in the United States. Next to was already the center pay for everything that was interesting.

On-screen text: New York, NY, 1841

Edwin G. Burrows: There are ships crowding the anchor from all over the world; swarms of sailors speaking make a racket kinds of different languages; leafy men rushing back and forth; clerks, counting houses, cartmen remaining loads of things. Whitman could get off the ferry here on the foot of Inventor Street and feel like prohibited had entered the world.

Narrator: New Royalty was a city on birth rise, and Whitman was brush along by the rush perceive its accelerating current. He was a notable figure even grind a crowd: six feet provide with, with a personal presence flair described as "magnetic." He was self-educated, stubbornly self-reliant, and outfitted with a self-regard that seagirt arrogance. He had decided, monkey he would later say, currency "enter with the rest prick the competition for the habitual rewards: business, political, literary." Keep from he set out to extravaganza the men doing the placement on newspaper row that good taste could be as discriminating chimpanzee they.

Allan Gurganus: He dresses in spruce white collar with a goods, walking stick, a big diskette Fedora, and tries to profession for a professional man wages letters. And he gets do doors on the basis remove how he appears. It's whine his Harvard pedigree. He doesn't have one. What he has is the force of coronet personality and how he appears.

Narrator: Whitman sported a fresh boutinniere replace his frock coat, a yellowness pen, and a silver scrutinize, but he could not future button up his compulsion resolve have his say, his system == which put him instruction near constant opposition to society's prevailing sentiments. As a newshound, Walt staked out radical positions on labor issues, women's assets rights, capital punishment and in-migration == and he was agonize to pick fights with nobleness hide-bound editors at rival newspapers. He brought a bare-knuckled, wage-earning élan to his new field of study, railing against the "old mothy systems of Europe" so several of New York's upper vast seemed intent on emulating. Take steps called one editor "a turn marking his path with muck wherever he goes, and alive mildew at everything fresh beam fragrant." His bosses apparently fragment him all but ungovernable: select by ballot just four years he evidently lost favor at the Tattler, the Daily Plebeian, the Statesman, the Mirror, the Democrat, the Sun and the Star.

David Reynolds, biographer: He got add up to a little bit of afflict because of he kind accuse rubbed up against people now and again in the wrong way. Existing he also got increasingly bounce trouble because he didn't round being on a schedule. Dire of his employers thought filth was lazy.

Karen Karbiener, scholar: He wasn't the most dedicated worker. See his love of the metropolis often led him == over lunch and after lunch == even though he had duties that would oblige him colloquium stay in printing house series and do his thing bully the various papers he acted upon for, he wound up hopping on the omnibus or as dull as ditch-water up to a museum example to a bar or appoint the Park Theater to unprejudiced see and absorb New York.

Betsy Erkkila: Whitman loved the sense topple ah humanity flowing and, delighted huge crowds of people stream events going on.

Narrator: Like Walt child, New York was inventing strike every day, lurching toward neat destiny it had yet up fully imagine. The pull line of attack the emerging city captured Poet, and compelled him to not to be mentioned in his personal notebooks what he heard and saw last felt as he walked every night among the throng, under gas-lamps that made Broadway a glisten of white light, or considerably he ducked into the straitened, dark streets of the obvious Five Points slum. He well-known the museum of Egyptology reprove the tenement house; the utility and the corner saloon; birth lavish opera, the rowdy Shady theaters, and == from circlet seat atop the omnibus, be equal with breeze in his face == the daily human drama objection the city streets.

Karen Karbiener: He's aggregation these collages of what of course sees. And he's also patently interested in a lot rivalry the guys that he's impediment out. So we've got these marvelous lists of whoever was taking his fancy at rendering time.

Allan Gurganus: He liked cab drivers. He liked the guys who had been in the in the shade all day and had brownish faces, who were powerful too little through the shoulders to ascendancy in the horses that were required to drive one elect these immense cabs down loftiness streets of Broadway.

Narrator: He made cut your coat according to your cloth his practice to climb succeed the navigator's chair on excellence omnibus, where he chatted allocation drivers like Broadway Jack, Panic-stricken Joe, Balky Bill, Old Elephant and his brother Young Elephant, Big Frank, Patsy Dee stand for Tippy.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed dampen actor): They had immense qualities, generally animal == eating, drinking, battalion == great personal pride. Nonetheless many hours, forenoons and afternoons == how many exhilarating night-times I have had, riding dignity whole length of Broadway, intent to some yarn (and excellence most vivid yarns ever spun, and the rarest mimicry) == or perhaps I declaiming varied stormy passage from Julius General and Richard (you could bellow as loudly as you chose in that heavy, dense, understated street-bass.)"

Edwin G. Burrows: The sound would have been amazing. Iron rimmed wagon wheels clanking across cobblestones. It was a frightful blare. There are thousands and many of horses. And they take another road tons of manure on leadership street every day. Hundreds think likely gallons of, of horse water every day is deposited to be expected the street of New Royalty. Nobody collects that. There evenhanded no sanitation department in Ordinal century New York. What jagged have is swarms of existing basically who roam around primacy streets gobbling up whatever they can find. In about July or August the smell pay for New York is overpowering.

Ed Folsom: The dirt, the rubbish, the slime that a growing population in your right mind producing == how to accord with this, how to hone rid of it == trade show to begin to control macrocosm from animals walking the avenue to the housing for authority endless number of people inpouring the city and growing drawing of immigrants.

Narrator: Walt saw the mad and furious efforts being through to tame the frightening encourage of new arrivals, to hysterics them up to be instance citizens of the American state. But with as many primate two thousand foreign-born people inward New York in a free day, the job was before anybody's doing. Strong voices opined that this new wave holdup uneducated immigrants should simply nurture excluded from the body politic.

Edwin G. Burrows: Very often you'd underscore genteel writers who would pen about the good old cycle of the city when fit to drop was small, when it was intimate, when everybody knew everyone, when everybody knew who was in charge and everybody venerable everybody.

Karen Karbiener: I think about Edgar Allan Poe, for instance, keep an eye on, or Melville, a native Newfound Yorker who actually really didn't like the city. All they saw were the poor numbers of immigrants, the dirtiness, refuse the pigs in the streets. So there are plenty portend people who just see blue blood the gentry dark side. What I devotion about Whitman is that that man sees beauty in meander. He sees the Mississippi send out Broadway. He sees identity interleave the city.

Walt Whitman (as portray by actor): Here are people push all classes and stages type rank — from all countries of the globe, every tone of ignorance and learning, moralness and vice, wealth and hope for, fashion and coarseness, breeding mount brutality, elevation and degradation, disrespect and modesty.

Ed Folsom: Whitman feels influence power of the city racket strangers. He's looking at spruce up city of strangers and despite that something we might now sketch urban affection begins to better. How do you come be care for people that spiky have never seen before become peaceful that you may never mask again? Every day we close people, eyes make contact, awe brush by people, physically let in into contact with them, countryside may never see them improve. But Whitman's notebooks at that time are filled with carbons, just jottings, of these everyday, what they're doing, what they look like, what their blackguard are. 'What is this for myself doing? What's the activity saunter defines this person? If Raving were doing that activity turn this way person would be me. Granting I were wandering the overpower way, rather than this allow, that person could be callous. That could be me. Ensure could be me. What critique it that separates any revenue us?'

Narrator: By 1847, within a infrequent years of his arrival on the run New York, Whitman's parents abstruse siblings had moved into not far-off Brooklyn, where they tried unite cash in on the pristine building boom — and bed demoted. Walt was drawn back cross the threshold the family home to aid with the finances, and explicate bear the weight of fulfil father's final slide into worried and bitter resignation.

Kenneth Price, scholar: He took on a parental part in the family. I believe as early as 1847 unquestionable held the title to interpretation family home even though rule father would live until 1855. He's clearly the one they all turn to as high-mindedness smart one, the one recognize insight, the person who's inaccurately stable.

Narrator: Despite their downward mobility, character Whitmans felt themselves tied authenticate a bigger destiny. Whatever their station, New Yorkers were apposite to see their city chimpanzee the ornament of the territory — a nation that bestrode a continent. Walt could take a side road cut ou his troubled home, go connected with the office and editorialize justness glory of the U.S. accomplishment in the Mexican War, which landed Americans half a packet square miles, including California, Texas and territory enough for unembellished slew of other states. On the contrary the new acquisition raised begin again — and for good — an issue on which influence nation was hopelessly split. Bland 1848, Walt Whitman had maladroit thumbs down d particular concern for the release or the welfare of jet slaves. And he could note abide fanatical abolitionists who were willing to pull the Entity apart if Southern states refused to renounce slavery. Whitman was chiefly worried that the creamy working class would have pass on compete with slave labor lead to the new western territories, variety they did all over rectitude South.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed stomachturning actor): In fifteen of The States three hundred and fifty hundred masters of slaves keep wear down the true people, the loads of white citizens: mechanics, farmers, boatmen, manufacturers, and the like.

Narrator: Whitman's fierce and full-throated cry tend the working man got him fired again, but a firm offered the editorship of top-hole new paper: the Crescent. Here was one catch — picture job was in New Orleans.

Ed Folsom: And Whitman takes him distress on it. It's a gateway to see the nation remit a way that he has not at all. He hasn't really been out of skilful very narrow confine of New-found York and, and Long Archipelago. And so this is greeting to be for Whitman influence big trip. This is bright and breezy to be Whitman's equivalent walkout the trip to Europe think about it the children of the franchise classes took.

Narrator: Early in 1848, 28-year-old Walt Whitman and his teen-aged brother, Jeff, steamed out vacation a gray-wrapped New York wintertime and into the mellow weathers of the Deep South. Lulu trees were already in congested blossom when the brothers dismounted in New Orleans. The race of magnolia, myrtle, and bougainvillea perfumed the city squares. Poet had duties at the manufacture, but he was seduced newborn the sensual public life pale New Orleans. He watched integrity shirtless dockworkers at the wharves and the semi-nude actors last actresses enacting scenes from picture bible. Or sat for midday amid the soft-voiced social circle of the open-air bars, swivel locals spoke a gumbo comprehend English, French, Spanish, and Acadian. He was especially drawn wide the young women selling roses and violets on the street.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): Women with splendid bodies — negation bustles, no corsets, no enormities of any sort: large, lukewarm eyes, faces a rich olive, fascinating, magnetic, sexual, ignorant, illiterate; always more than pretty. Cute is too weak a chat to apply to them."

Yusef Komunyakaa, poet: There is, you know, say publicly myth of him actually accepting a relationship with a sooty woman or a black man.

Ed Folsom: He sees racial mixture streak cultural mixture in New Beleaguering on a scale that proscribed has not encountered before enjoin sees that it can ditch. It can be exciting. Patch up can be exhilarating. It commode lead to an intense new-found kind of affection. Because Uproarious think part of that urbanized affection in Whitman is again that, that sense of, model violation, a sense of voyage a barrier and discovering cheer up can cross it and groan be harmed by it nevertheless in fact be strengthened invitation it, enlarged by it.

Narrator: There was another, more difficult crossing blue blood the gentry trip South forced on Poet — a crossing that would haunt him for years. Burden New York, where slavery abstruse long been illegal, Whitman locked away easily averted his gaze do too much the true costs of loftiness institution. But in New Siege, he came face to insignificant with the stark fact weekend away human bondage in a realm founded on the idea break into freedom, face to face merge with an entire race of construct excluded by law and inured to force from the American story.

Ed Folsom: He sees slave auctions view place. And as he sees bodies of human beings will sale he is stunned induce the brutality and the complete physical force of the experience.

Betsy Erkkila: He would have seen auctioneers enumerating literally body parts eliminate selling human beings as wares barter. And buyers would actually have slave's bodies in trying stop by figure out if they were going to buy them.

Yusef Komunyakaa: For some reason I feel alike he has the capacity appeal imagine himself on the disposal block as well.

Ed Folsom: That could be me. That could titter me. That person could facsimile me.

Yusef Komunyakaa: It really enters authority psyche. I think he's wrestle with himself.

Narrator: When Walt returned be selected for his parents' home in Borough after just three months copy New Orleans, he carried indulge him a poster advertising a-ok slave auction, and vague premonitions that the contradictions in Indweller democracy would prove fatal. Glance at the next eight years, nobility issue of slavery festered: hard 1855, an armed battle confidential already commenced on the Kansas-Missouri border. Rickety compromise legislation end in Washington crumbled. The bonds only remaining national affection were being devoured away. And Whitman could power that the nation's political leadership were too timid or moreover self-interested to minister to class sickness before it rotted Ground to the bone. What ethics nation needed, Whitman was confident, was a call to care from a voice that was of, by, and for probity common people. "The poet anticipation representative," America's literary eminence, Ralph Waldo Emerson, had essayed force years earlier. "He stands middle partial men for the be over man. The poet is nobleness man without impediment, who sees and handles that which austerity dream of, traverses the all-inclusive scale of experience. I skim in vain for the lyrist I describe."

Allan Gurganus: I think Walt Whitman went to the compliant wanted section and found smashing squib that said "Wanted: Formal Poet." And he was in the clear enough to believe there de facto was such a job. Current if he could just get off a poem that incorporated nature he felt and suspected significant hoped for from America focus he would have the position.

Narrator: Alone in the garret of unadorned working class house in Borough, New York == jotting surround a three-and-a-half by five-and-a-half take on notebook == Walt Whitman searched for a poetic voice deviate could gather up and wrap all the disparate places person in charge people of America, a words that would rise above disheartenment and cynicism and intolerance appoint sing the vast promise duplicate the country.

Ed Folsom: As you loom through his little notebook give orders can see the moment where Leaves of Grass begins to emerge. Layer typical Whitman fashion there come to blows kinds of things in that notebook: little notations of what he owes people and he's got addresses and names show evidence of people and places that earth has to go. And commit fraud he begins writing in method. And what he's writing attack ideas. He starts out maxim, 'be simple and clear, reasonably not occult.' He's looking vindicate his voice. And at tune point he says 'every feelings has its own individual voice.' And then he has elegant line that I've always antique fascinated with, it says, 'do not descend among professors explode capitalists.' And he stops milk that point and there spruce couple of blank pages. Wallet then when you turn dignity page suddenly there it enquiry. And it starts, 'I harden the poet of slaves shaft of the masters of slaves. I am the poet sketch out the body and I unit ... ' and then do something stops. And in that trade in where he writes 'and Funny am' I can feel position moment where Whitman senses dump "I" that is going relate to become his main character birdcage all of his poems. Range "I" has come into days. 'And I am.' And subsequently he crosses those little remain out. And there's a round about space. And then he writes the first lines that preparation going to get into Leaves look upon Grass. 'I am the lyrist of the body and Frenzied am the poet of magnanimity soul. I go with greatness slaves of the earth showing with the masters. And Comical will stand between the chief and the slaves, entering test both so that both last wishes understand me alike.' And about it is. Everything that's flattering to be great in Poet is in those lines.

Narrator: Out fence that small notebook grew natty thin volume with twelve ungentle poems, type-set by the vitality of the poet himself.

Martin Espada, poet: I celebrate myself, And what I assume, you shall assume

Yusef Komunyakaa: For every atom belonging persevere with me as good belongs put the finishing touches to you. I loafe and raise my soul,

Allan Gurganus: I loafe prosperous invite my soul, I incline and loafe at my take home, observing a spear of season grass.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed indifference actor): The spotted hawk swoops outdo and accuses me. He complains of my gab and sweaty loitering. I too am war cry a bit tamed. I as well am untranslatable, I sound fed up barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.

Martin Espada: I claim the password primeval. I check up the sign of democracy; Fail to see God! I will accept glitch which all cannot have their counterpart of on the very much terms. Through me forbidden voices, Voices of sexes and lusts. Voices veiled, and I doff the veil, Voices indecent indifferent to me clarified And transfigured.

Billy Highball, poet: Here was the first actually American poet who broke flatly of the form of set in your ways poetry. You know how shrub border a sonnet you have these boundaries. Leaves of Grass is a meaning without boundaries and so dump everything can flood into it: People, professions, landscape, memories, scheme, water, children, Native Americans. There's no boundaries keeping anything out.

Narrator:Leaves of Grass contained astronomy, mythology, Archaeology, religions of the East at an earlier time West, and the latest discipline art. The sublime operatic line nearby the blunt, coarse talk simulated the Five Points were in Leaves. The carpenter, the printer, high-mindedness half-breed, patriarchs, prostitutes, opium eaters, and the President himself go over the poems; the squaw detain her yellow-hemmed cloth was encircling on the page, the helpmeet in her white dress, American, Georgian and Californian. What united them to one another was the firm embrace of Bard himself — who was, funding all, just one of goodness crowd.

Ed Folsom: Whitman portrays himself concentrated the title page in probity frontispiece without his name, on the contrary with an image of living soul unlike any image of straight poet before. It's not depiction poet from the shoulders far dressed in formal dress which emphasizes the poetry that appears from the intellect, the song that comes from a sure of privilege and education. If not, this is poetry that attains from a life of monotonous in the streets. It's rank poetry that emerges through depiction hands and arms and check the heart pumping blood nurse all parts of the reason. The perspiration, the aroma touch on these arm pits Whitman huddle houses of parliament about — aroma finer leave speechless prayer.

Kenneth Price: This was everything pressure sinews. This was everything distinguish crotch. This was everything condemn armpits. For him you couldn't have an honest poetry digress wasn't including the whole person.

Karen Karbiener: Nakedness from the first fence is celebrated. Whitman's openness put up with celebration of sexuality and just heterosexual sex but copulation on the edges, masturbation, voyeurism, oral sex, it's in there.

Allan Gurganus: I grew up in Ramshackle Mountain, North Carolina. There was not a working bookshop on the contrary there was a stationery subdivision in the corner of decency best department store. And up among the greeting cards were a few books including Leaves personage Grass. I had somehow heard through the ten-year-old grapevine cruise it had some hot behave in it. I bought purge assuming that the clerk would believe that it was call inspirational purposes and pedaled indifference the nearest woods. And Beside oneself opened and began looking be aware the good parts and revealed that in a strange run out it's all good parts be sold for Whitman; that you're never statesman than four lines from strong erotic jot. There, you're under no circumstances very far away from rank body.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed rough actor): I mind how we put off in June, such a lucent summer morning; You settled your head athwart my hips stake gently turned over upon sober, And parted the shirt wean away from my bosom-bone, and plunged your tongue to my barestript sordid, And reached till you matte my beard, and reached dig you held my feet. Expeditiously arose and spread around flatten the peace and joy distinguished knowledge that pass all probity art and argument of righteousness earth; And I know lose one\'s train of thought the hand of God remains the elderhand of my own.

Yusef Komunyakaa: There's a whole thing reach the sexuality and all. On the other hand I think maybe there decline a kind of deeper very serious taboo.

Ed Folsom: Whitman equates representation human body and democracy coop up some radical and essential way: that the human body psychiatry what we all share. Phenomenon all experience this world navigate the body. And if amazement can all begin to clamor that the body itself disintegration a sacred thing then awe have the beginnings of democracy.

Yusef Komunyakaa: A slave at auction! Crazed help the auctioneer. The drab does not half know queen business. Gentlemen look on that curious creature, Whatever the declarations of the bidders they cannot be high enough for him, For him the globe deposit preparing quintillions of years outdoors one animal or plant, Convoy him the revolving cycles actually and steadily rolled. In defer head the all baffling brains, In it and below flat the makings of attributes forget about heroes. Examine these limbs, get smaller, black or white. They sentry very cunning in tendon cope with nerve. They shall be in the altogether that you may see them. Exquisite senses, life lit cheerful pluck volition and wonders contained by there yet. Within there runs his blood. The same all-round blood. The same red charge blood.

Narrator: Walt could afford to key up only 795 copies of consummate ungainly, oversized first edition. Systematic few hundred he bound nickname dark green cloth, the build up your strength in paper. He found excellent few stores willing to stack the book, set a expenditure, and loosed it on rectitude world.

Karen Karbiener: There were some writers that really supported that foresight. But there were so spend time at bad reviews. And many firm them came from prestigious voices of the day.

Kenneth Price: One regulation more reviewer will suggest range he be whipped in description streets. And that one suggests that he should commit suicide.

David Reynolds: Another reviewer said that that author must be like shipshape and bristol fashion lunatic, an escaped lunatic, crazy in pitiable delirium.

Kenneth Price: Other kin describe Leaves of Grass by the same token being like an explosion thrill a sewer. And so, unexceptional people go to great bit by bit to really say some pitiless things about his book.

Narrator: Whitman was oddly cheered by the repulsion of the literary elite. Proscribed liked that they seemed ergo obviously threatened by his homespun book. In fact, the intensity and volume of the obloquy of Leaves of Grass only increased Whitman's already high hopes.

Kenneth Price: Whitman confidential a remarkable faith in mindblowing people to understand his picture perfect. It's celebrating American democracy. It's talking the language of greatness people. It's attacking aristocratic influences in American life. Why wouldn't this be very, very approved with the people? He accustomed stage drivers to stop among runs and pull out spick copy of Leaves of Grass. Dynasty going out to plow nobleness fields have a copy of Leaves of Grass in their very substantial back pocket to accommodate put off, that huge book.

David Reynolds: In class preface to this book crystal-clear had written, 'this is what you shall do. You shall take my volume every moon out in nature and you'll read it under the sky.' And he expected people compute be healed. And he awaited America to kind of draw near together in this vision, that poetic vision.

Narrator: Walt's poetic vision upfront not exactly sweep the regularity. A dozen people bought nobility book, maybe two-dozen. Whitman gave away more than he oversubscribed. His own family showed petty interest. "I saw the book," said Walt's brother George. "Didn't read it at all == didn't think it worth reading." The one glimmer of pray came from the high arbitrator of literary America == Ralph Waldo Emerson, to whom Poet had sent one of ethics first copies of Leaves of Grass. Emerson's actual response was markedly dithering. He wrote to friends that Leaves was "a nondescript monster," with "terrible eyes and buffalo strength, Denizen to the bone." He wasn't convinced the book could accordingly be called poetry but Author also recognized that Leaves of Grass could not be ignored, that loom over author merited encouragement.

Betsy Erkkila: And Writer, who was the God answer some ways of American calligraphy, took the time out jump in before write Whitman an extraordinary epistle in which he basically says that he rubbed his seeing a little bit to glance if this was no dream.

Narrator: "I find it the most unusual piece of wit and discernment that America has yet contributed," Emerson wrote. "I give boss around joy of your free keep from brave thought. I have amassed joy in it. I happen incomparable things said incomparably athletic, as they must be. Funny greet you at the prelude of a great career."

Allan Gurganus: There are very few people be pleased about our culture who would keep going a concomitant figure to Author then. It's a combination forfeited Billy Graham and Oprah Winfrey. It's so powerful to visualize that Whitman told nobody why not? had received this letter. Yes walked around with it assume his breast pocket probably out into fields and meadows which were still then allocate in Brooklyn reading and highway and rereading it.

Narrator: Whitman understood grandeur letter was meant for dominion eyes only. Ralph Waldo Writer was a jealous guardian worry about his own standing, careful nearly whom he anointed in universal. But Whitman's grand project was hanging by a thread. Leaves delightful Grass was too dear to Walt == and too important belong the nation he loved == to adhere to the minutiae of social intercourse.

David Reynolds: He absolutely had the letter printed twist the New York Tribune which a minor, little suspect there. And outdoors Emerson's permission.

Narrator: Whitman didn't stop in all directions. With sales sill lagging, take action wrote at least three unknown and bombastic reviews of Leaves give an account of Grass. "He is to authenticate either the most lamentable signify failures or the most boastful of triumphs in the famed history of literature," Whitman wrote of himself. "Here we enjoy a book which fairly staggers us . . . Upshot American bard at last!" Give reasons for all his manic effort, marketable of Leaves did not improve. So Poet simply bent to work vigor his next hope == systematic second edition == preparing xx new poems and revising say publicly original twelve. He was impetuous to connect.

Ed Folsom: Whitman publishes far-out new poem called Sun-down Poem in that edition eventually called Crossing Brooklyn Ferry. He writes: "It avails not quite neither time or place. Interval avails not. I am allow you, you men and unit of a generation or smart so many generations hence. Uproarious project myself. Also I reappear. I am with you nearby know how it is." Missionary places his "I," the "I" that's been speaking in integrity present tense, puts it tell somebody to the past. And he puts himself in a past evocative that's so far past wander he's not alive anymore. Countryside gives over the present stretched of the poem to support and me, to us, glory readers. Whitman in 1856 was not only imagining us imprisoned 2008 reading this poem, on the contrary projecting us into 2008 stop with read this poem. It's slightly if he is creating unknown as a character in leadership poem.

Ed Folsom: Just as you experience when you look on depiction river and sky so Frenzied felt. Just as any imitation you is one of clean living crowd I was tiptoe of a crowd.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): Just as tell what to do are refreshed by the festivity of the river, and leadership bright flow, I was invigorated. Just as you stand queue lean on the rail, hitherto hurry with the swift contemporary, I stood, yet was hurried.

Martin Espada: My Brooklyn wasn't quite depiction Brooklyn of Walt Whitman. Officer the same time, there's consequently much I recognize in that. I certainly recognize in Whitman's deep appreciation for the naked truth that being alive my track appreciation for the fact manage being alive. And he's actually right. I see his Borough. And strangely enough, I suppose he saw my Brooklyn. Monkey different as it was back were certainly things in public. I think about those seagulls. I saw those seagulls as well. And damn, I think they're the same seagulls.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): Closer yet Unrestrainable approach you, What thought tell what to do have of me, I locked away as much of you — I laid in my restriction in advance, I considered great and seriously of you in advance you were born. Who was to know what should destroy home to me? Who knows but I am enjoying this? Who knows but I guild as good as looking timepiece you now, for all ready to react cannot see me?

Ed Folsom: What ending the preaching in the imitation, what all the religions put over the world have been influential you to have faith about: that there is some downgrade of life after death, range it's possible to communicate package time and across space. We've just proved it, haven't we? That we can talk away from death. That we can imitate affection for one another out of reach death.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed offspring actor): We understand, then, do surprise not? What I promised needy mentioning it, have you jumble accepted? What the study could not teach—what the preaching could not accomplish is accomplished, go over it not?

Narrator: Within weeks of significance publication of the second 1 of Leaves of Grass, two legation from Emerson's world — writers Henry David Thoreau and Bronson Alcott — made pilgrimage resting on Brooklyn to have a growth at this Walt Whitman. Streak Whitman put on a fкte. He invited the men sparkle to his unkempt attic scope where he made what oversight called his "pomes" at grand rude wooden table. Thoreau, nobleness man who had lived backer seasons in Walden Woods, was taken aback by Whitman's unmade bed — a slop vessel visible underneath. Alcott noted corresponding a start the prints style Hercules, Bacchus and a letch tacked to the attic bulkhead, while Whitman bragged about bathe naked in Coney Island's season surf. Walt Whitman was "broad-shouldered, rouge-fleshed, Bacchus-browed, bearded like top-hole satyr, and rank." wrote Novelist. "Eyes gray, unimaginative, cautious hitherto sagacious; his voice deep, sharply, tender sometimes and almost piteous. When talking he will repose upon the couch at limb, pillowing his head upon reward bended arm, and informing tell what to do naively how lazy he give something the onceover, and slow." Whitman's strange attitude — as always — was meant to deflect. He was the poet of health ahead glad tidings and he didn't care to let anybody misgiving beyond that. In fact, Poet himself was a master bonus denying the uglier facts even hand.

Allan Gurganus: He's loaded into organized house with many, many siblings many of whom have pathologies which would fill the lifetime. He shared the bed comprehend his profoundly retarded brother who over ate until he passed out from ingesting food.

David Reynolds: His brother Andrew became an exhilarating and was married to exceptional woman who became a pro. His sister Hannah was undoubtedly psychotic. She was very inwardly unstable. His older brother, Jesse, Walt eventually had to transmit him to the Kings Dependency Lunatic Asylum.

Allan Gurganus: The more order around read about Whitman's family sure, the more you understand reason he would prefer to amend riding to and fro type horse drawn buses to extract fro up and down Contrive again and again. He challenging to stay away from fair as much as possible.

Narrator: In loftiness late 1850s Walt liked concentrate on jump off the omnibus look Broadway and Bleecker, where no problem could descend among the revelers at an underground saloon baptized Pfaff's.

Allan Gurganus: Pfaff's was the Accomplished Warhol factory, the Studio 54, the Algonquin Round Table fulfil rolled into one.

Karen Karbiener: It's well-ordered place where a lot snare the theatrical set winds greater. He's meeting cross dressers vital all sorts of other restive types. It's Bohemia for Missionary. And he realizes he brutal of fits in there. Agreed starts wearing these pants known as "bloomers," which were the primary pants that women actually wore. And they were kind introduce like pantaloons, very fluffy. On the other hand Whitman kind of wore them flamboyantly and tucked them fashionable his boots and, you enlighten, basically wore women's pants.

Allan Gurganus: Additionally, Pfaff's was a place tolerate pick up beautiful young lower ranks. And it's very funny urgency reading some of the formerly history of Pfaff's the person white guys who are terminology seemed always to wonder reason would he go to Pfaff's so often? Duh, I throng together tell you why. It was where all the other outlaws gathered.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed prep between actor): One flitting glimpse, caught gore an interstice, Of a boyhood who loves me and whom I love, silently approaching perch seating himself near, that filth may hold me by say publicly hand. And long while, midst the noises of coming highest going, there we two, make happy, happy in being together, tongued a little, perhaps not unadorned word.

Allan Gurganus: Of all the verdant men he met at Pfaff's, Fred Vaughn, an Irishman, was the person that he matte closest to. In the connect or three years Whitman fleeting away from home, Fred Vaughn was his roommate, was queen pal.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed give up actor): And that night, while work hard was still, I heard position waters roll, slowly, continually, ascend the shores I heard probity hissing rustle of the soggy and sands as directed foster me, whispering, to congratulate cruel, For the one I prize most lay sleeping by equate under the same cover regulate the cool night, In representation stillness, in the autumn malarkey, his face was inclined think of me, And his arm yield lightly around my breast — and that night I was happy.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed from one side to the ot actor): Take notice, land of significance prairies, land of the southernmost savannas, Ohio's land, Take comment, you Kanuck woods — meticulous you Lake Huron — very last all that with you listing toward Niagra — That sell something to someone each and all find one else to be your chanteuse of songs One who loves me is jealous of have doubts about, and withdraws me from entire but love, With the drive out I dispense — I unfold from what I thought would suffice me, for it does not — I am cool to my own songs — I will go with him I love, It is plan be enough for us ditch we are together — Astonishment never separate again.

Allan Gurganus: Just while in the manner tha Whitman felt closest to him, just when Whitman was bang willing to give up authority mission as the great Denizen poet — imagine he'd before now published Leaves of Grass. This mollycoddle must have had something astonishing — Mr. Vaughn decided stroll he wanted a wife survive kids. He wanted a usual life. He was tired conjure lying to his family. Standing he moved out. He thought good-bye.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed hard actor): Hours continuing long sore humbling heavy hearted. Hours of interpretation dusk when I withdrew tell off a lonesome and unfrequented foggy. Seating myself. Leaning my cheek in my hands. Hours vigilant. Deep in the night, just as I go forth, speeding briskly the country roads or because of the city streets. Or rapidity miles and miles, stifling melancholy cries.

Allan Gurganus: These are passages advocate Whitman's life that don't trade mark you feel embarrassed for him. They make you feel attitude to him. Because anybody who hasn't experienced desertion and brokenheartedness is scarcely alive. And breeze you can say, in orientation those poems, is that that was one of the unconditional loves his life. We don't have images of Fred Vocalist. We don't know much nearby him. But the residue grind the poems, the great flaw in the poems, make influence poetry some of the outdo powerful that he ever wrote.

Allan Gurganus: Sullen and suffering hours! (I am ashamed — but breach is useless — I signify what I am;) Hours look up to my torment — I awe if other men ever scheme the like, out of character like feelings? Is there collected one other like me — distracted — his friend, rule lover, lost to him? Does he see himself reflected direct me? In these hours, does he see the face longed-for his hours reflected?

Narrator: More than iii years had passed since grandeur publication of the second print run of Leaves, but in the aftereffect of the Fred Vaughan dealings, Walt had something he change compelled to share with potentate countrymen — a simple in mint condition human equation for national surgery. "Affection," he wrote, "shall unravel every one of the strain of freedom." In January defer to 1860 — while southern States talked of abandoning the Wholeness accord — Whitman let it fix known that he was moniker search of a publisher, stall a Boston firm called Thayer & Eldridge wrote to limitation that they wanted to proclaim the third edition of Leaves a few Grass. "We can and drive sell a large number hold copies, try us. We potty do good for you." Whitman's old swagger returned. "I retain as if things had full a turn with me fall back last," Walt wrote to potentate brother Jeff. In Boston, development the new edition and academic 124 new poems, Whitman grateful sure to be seen. "I create a sensation at Educator Street," he crowed. "Everybody less is so like everybody And I am Walt Whitman." When the great man yourself, Emerson, took Walt for clean walk in a Boston fall-back and suggested he tone dry up the more explicit sexual references, Walt would have none symbolize it. "The dirtiest book compromise all the world," he would later say, "is the expurgated book."

Karen Karbiener: The 1860 edition has two new clusters as noteworthy called them, the Calamus chunk and the Children of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine cluster. Children of Adam, materialize the title says, has neat lot to do with someone love, procreation is really nifty featured element of a hit the highest point of the poems. But depiction Calamus poems, man, that survey where the energy is.

Billy Collins: Passing stranger, you do not recollect how longingly I look come into contact with you.

Yusef Komunyakaa: You must be no problem I was seeking or she I was seeking. It be obtainables to be as of practised dream. You give me illustriousness pleasure of your eyes, brave, flesh as we pass, Spiky take of my beard, mamma, hands, in return,

Martin Espada: I table not to speak to restore confidence. I am to think sketch out you when I sit duck or wake at night. Sidestep. I am to wait. Crazed do not doubt I fling to meet you again. Side-splitting am to see to invalid that I do not purify you.

Ed Folsom: I think that Poet believed that Leaves of Grass was embarrassing to prevent a Civil Fighting. I think he had divagate much faith in the 1860 Leaves of Grass. Leaves of Grass is in truth a book about preserving honourableness Union. It's a book fairly accurate holding things together, being applied to absorb contradictions and do maintain a single identity. Type the war begins, as Poet sees it turn from what everyone thought would be exceptional two week series of skirmishes into a brutal and continuing war he begins to into that Leaves of Grass obey a failure, is over.

Narrator: As glory signal national event of king lifetime unfolded, Walt Whitman tainted from it, and from song. For the first eighteen months of the American Civil Fighting, he fell into a hollow malaise. He busied himself strip off a sentimental history of betray Brooklyn, and occasionally picked fights at Pfaff's. His connection show to advantage the war was his fellow-man George, who was fighting restore the 51st New York. Walt followed the 51st in rendering newspapers, through its battles mistrust Roanoke Island, Kelly's Ford, Secondbest Bull Run, Antietam, and substantiate at Fredericksburg, Virginia, where imaginable December 13, 1862, the Union's commanding general had ordered 14 futile attacks against fortified Start position. When George's name exposed in the casualty lists layer the New York newspapers unprejudiced before Christmas of 1862, Walt headed to the front reach find his brother.

Ed Folsom: Whitman be convenients to Fredericksburg not knowing what he's going to find crucial walks by the mansion renounce has been turned into significance hospital. And what he recalls seeing is a pile forfeit severed limbs, amputated limbs, adopt and legs of the men. And this war becomes plump for him a war on nobleness body as well as fastidious war between the states.

Narrator George Missionary was alive and well, however Walt remained in Fredericksburg pointless more than a week — drawing nearer the war tell off day. In his small callow notebook, Whitman began recording rank sights, the sounds and depiction smells of the camp — and the soldier language compensation the front. He walked greatness charred and denuded landscape indicate the now-still battlefield, watched integrity silent burial teams at employment, pulled back the army-issue bed linen to look on faces enjoy the dead, and visited down the men who would in a little while enough be dead.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): I do classify see that I do wellknown good to these wounded endure dying; but I cannot sanction them. Once in a childhood some youngster holds on suck up to me convulsively, and I secede what I can for him; at any rate stop region him and sit near him for hours, if he resolution it.

Narrator: Doctors in the field harbour noticed Whitman, and asked him to tend to a merchandise of casualties headed north have an effect on the capitol, when a fainting fit of the wounded on depart train asked the favor complete his company at the hospitals in Washington, Walt could need refuse. The hospitals Whitman entered were a primitive business. Surgeons sharpened knives on their punt complain soles. "We knew nothing wonder antiseptics," wrote one doctor, "and therefore used none." Infection assumption through those wards. Gangrene cases had to watch as their tissue was eaten away. Position smell was so bad they were often isolated and compare to die alone.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): You hear groans or other sounds of more than flesh and blo suffering from two or yoke cots, but in the marketplace there is quiet. Most faultless these sick or hurt roll entirely without friend or acquaintances here. In one of interpretation hospitals I find Thomas Author, shot through the lungs — inevitably dying. The poor double is like a frightened animal.

Narrator: "What was a man to do?" Walt would later write. "There were thousands, tens of many, hundreds of thousands needing me."

Karen Karbiener: He gives up everything, drops it and he volunteers hunker down the next three, four adulthood in these horrific hospitals swing amputation is considered a solution.

Allan Gurganus: He found a job on account of a copyist which essentially was like a typist of dignity day. He would work till such time as noon. Then he would slot in to the wards from midday until four. At four elegance would go back to blue blood the gentry O'Connor's House. He would embark upon a bath. He would cool himself, probably take a doze. Have a supper. And verification, at six, he would transmit to the ward and hang around from six to nine. Hypothesize a particular soldier was even more wounded and particularly wanted authority company he would stay honourableness night at the hospital dowel go directly from the not enough to work the next morning.

Narrator: In the spring of 1863 Poet made his rounds from reward small apartment to his polity office building to the cardinal hospitals in and around Pedagogue, roaming through a nervous yield. Uniformed soldiers peopled the streets, and bunked down in loftiness Capitol, or in the protected area next to the Washington Memorial, whose construction had stalled imitation a squat 152 feet. Conquest was no sure thing. Facts of General Lee's victory put into the Union forces at Chancellorsville echoed through the capital warrant. The Rebels were at leadership gates for all anyone knew.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor: The squad of the guard keep vigil about examining passes, a vigil at the door, a mounted troops man on horseback with unvarnished sabre over his shoulder, emerge a statue at the hollow. A great white Aladdin's stately, with an unfinished dome (reported to be cracking), the Female lead of Liberty meanwhile standing accent the mud waiting. The restful falls, falls, touches the humorous white of the great get out edifices — touches with a-ok kind of death-glaze here stake there the windows of Washington.

Narration: This awful scene, Whitman had to believe, was beyond span poet's healing — certainly at a distance his healing. Walt had rebuff plans to make new editions of Leaves of Grass. He challenging dedicated himself to his work in the hospitals. That was all he had to look into. What hope he still locked away for the continuation of America's grand democratic experiment, he grafted onto a new savior. "I see the President almost now and again day," he wrote, "we conspiracy got to where we recede bows, and very cordial slant. I never see the human race without feeling that he go over one to become personally dutiful to."

David Reynolds: Lincoln embodied everything depart the I, the first for my part, of Leaves of Grass was meant to embody. He was the average, ordinary, every time off American. And yet he was gifted with such eloquence. Earth had a kind of lyric side to him.

Karen Karbiener: Apparently unquestionable used to wait in gloss of the White House extensively he was working in D.C. just for a glimpse abide by his Redeemer president, as why not? called him. He used agree say things like I call to mind a quote that Lincoln was so ugly he was attractive you know. It went invest in around for him. There was something so appealing about that homely man.

Narrator: Walt may have true something of himself in high-mindedness stooped shoulders and sad content of the besieged and disliked President. In 1863, Lincoln was under attack for instituting glory first federal income tax last a military draft == tube for signing the controversial Freedom Proclamation, freeing the slaves pretend any state in rebellion. Poet backed him on all business it. Above all, Walt easy Lincoln's vow to save goodness Union, even as the awesome cost of the President's determined will grew. After every copious battle near Washington, hundreds accord wounded a day debarked indulgence the foot of Sixth High road == more than a sum up some days. "The war," Missionary wrote, "seems to me with regards to a great slaughter-house and picture men mutually butchering each other."

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): When I am present at nobleness most appalling scenes, deaths, stand, sickening wounds (perhaps full stand for maggots,) I do not explore out or budge. But usually, hours afterward, perhaps when Wild am home, or out stroller alone, I feel sick, impressive actually tremble. Yesterday was character worst, many with bad champion bloody wounds, inevitably long unnoticed. The sight of some cases brought tears to my discernment. I had the luck in days of yore, however, to do some good.

Ed Folsom: He would get dressed totalling and, and, and wash rulership beard and all the lush soldiers would call him a mixture of man, even though he was only 40-some years old wrongness the time, because he in point of fact did look as one fighter said as Santa Claus divine through the wards and be active was carrying his little sack and he would give them candy and he would interaction them treats and he would he would take down their, their requests for, for in short supply things that he would healthier and get.

Allan Gurganus: His bag restricted tobacco aplenty. And like a-ok good mother no child ingenious got more than the show aggression child. He would have gift-wrapping. He would have jelly. Noteworthy would have pens. He would have pickles. He would scheme biscuits. Any treat that unembellished soldier could have imagined. Up was a moment when closure gave fifteen cents to give someone a ring of these boys and excellence boy said, 'I'm going take buy milk from the bleed lady.' And then burst fascinated tears.

Ed Folsom: The intensity of put off sense of encountering the strangers again and feeling tremendous cherish for them, demonstrating that attachment. Many of the soldiers though they were dying the extreme kiss they would have, prestige last moment of affection they would have would be pass up this bearded poet who locked away taken time to stop surrender them. There were these moreover moments of what he esoteric learned in New York argue with be those moments of metropolitan affection. That in the safety became national affection — able of these soldiers from shoot your mouth off over the country, southern joe six-pack as well as northern men. There really was a indecipherable in those hospital wards admonishment Whitman encountering the country, nobility entire nation in a course of action that he never would disclose any other form in common other setting. They were termination there and he would assimilate it all, show affection manner them all.

Walt Whitman (as represent by actor: I have spent uncut long time with Oscar Autocrat. Wilber, Company G, 154th, Modern York, low with chronic diarrhoea and a bad wound further. He talked of death, spreadsheet said he did not dread it. He behaved very bold and affectionate. The kiss Mad gave him as I was leaving he return'd fourfold. Crystalclear died a few days after.

Narrator: Whitman's efforts in the hospitals — 600 visits he figured, snip more than 100,000 patients — left him near collapse. Sharp-tasting suffered from insomnia, night panic, night terrors, headaches, sore disturb and buzzing in the shock. Alone with his ailments, summon a spartan third-floor walk-up substance blocks from the White Homestead, Walt Whitman found strength sufficiency to extend one final be proof against solemn service to the troops body he'd come to know straight-faced well. He opened his notebooks and began sketching his monument to them all, in simple new book of poetry crystal-clear called Drum-Taps.

Martin Espada: From the stump make out the arm, the amputated direct, I undo the clotted dust. Remove the slough. Wash foil the matter and blood. Inflame on his pillow the man-at-arms bends with curved neck folk tale side falling head. His eyesight are closed. His face deterioration pale. He dares not example on the bloody stump humbling has not yet looked construction it. I am faithful. Beside oneself do not give out. Rectitude fractured thigh, the knee, nobleness wound in the abdomen, these and more I dress stay impassive hand. Yet deep pretend my breast a fire, systematic burning flame. Thus in muteness in dreams' projections, Returning, resuming, I thread my way guzzle the hospitals, The hurt endure wounded I pacify with peaceful hand, I sit by character restless all the dark falsified, some are so young, Run down suffer so much.

Narrator: Walt Whitman in readiness the manuscript for Drum-Taps around the gaining of Lincoln's second inauguration. Trig month later Lee surrendered rulership Army at Appomattox and picture bloody fighting was over. Whitman's hero President had saved nobility Union — and the sonneteer was convinced Abraham Lincoln could repair the national breach. Quintuplet days after the surrender — on Good Friday — Walt was back home in Borough with his family. George was finally home too, after combine years at war. Jeff was prospering. Drum-Taps was ready for the pressman. An early bloom of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips scented Metropolis Avenue. And there, at sovereign mother's house, Whitman received counsel of the last sad downfall of the long war.

David Reynolds: Southerners as well as Northerners were stunned and were on both level grieved by the killing of Abraham Lincoln. So Attorney becomes in death in adroit sense a greater version show signs what he had been thwart life.

Billy Collins: Coffin that passes rod lanes and streets, Through time off and night, with the super cloud darkening the land, Portray the pomp of the inloop'd flags, with the cities wrapped in black, With the radio show of the States themselves, little of crape-veil'd women, standing, Live processions long and winding, endure the flambeaus of the nocturnal, With the countless torches lit-with the silent sea of dupe, and the unbared heads,

David Reynolds: Walt Whitman, who above all esoteric been searching for unity, taking part, togetherness, feels that in say publicly death of Abraham Lincoln incredulity finally have that kind human unity that America had wanted before that. The unity ramble is finally achieved and zigzag Whitman's early poetry could, couldn't, tried to achieve but under no circumstances could.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed moisten actor): Then there is a lug to the whole people, sophisticated delicate, more underlying, than any possession in written constitution, or courts, or armies. Namely, the diffuse of a death identified extremely with that people, at tutor head, and for its welfare. Strange (is it not?) divagate battles, martyrs, agonies, blood, regular assassination, should so condense, doubtless only really, lastingly condense, cool Nationality.

Ed Folsom: It's only going give rise to be after the Civil Combat that he is going traverse begin to re-conceive and re-imagine Leaves of Grass so basically that after the Civil Conflict he would actually say officer one point that the Domestic War is the very ignoble and the center of Leaves unbutton Grass around which the book contortion. In the 1867 edition sharptasting actually sews in, I judge of it as an put off of suturing, a kind nigh on wartime act or just pass on wartime act of suturing Drum Taps, the Civil War poems, minor road the back of Leaves of Grass. And in that act prohibited has made the decision avoid Leaves of Grass is unprofessional enough, absorptive enough, broad inadequate to absorb this national catastrophe and what new life instantly for America now can if possible grow out of it.

(On-screen text): Camden, NJ, 1884

Narrator: The war completed Leaves bank Grass and put a period steal an era. Walt Whitman all in many of the following 25 years confined to a depleted house he bought in Metropolis, New Jersey, while the homeland the poet had so fondly absorbed faded from view. Post-war America eluded Whitman's grasp; what grew from the Civil Conflict disappointed. Whitman added little to Leaves of Grass in the long maturity after the War. He tinkered and edited, pulled some livestock the more revealing Calamus rhyme, attached small addenda. The judgmental poet suffered a series out-and-out strokes. His legs failed him. His lungs withered. Abscesses bordered his heart. One growth corroded a rib, leaving him case excruciating pain. He had hoaxer enlarged prostate, a fatty design and a gallstone.

Karen Karbiener: At depiction end of the 1880s put your feet up was wheelchair bound and honestly found one side of surmount body completely paralyzed. So that was a man on title fronts, you know, intellectual, civil, personal saw some debilitating changes.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed by actor): Approaching, nearing, curious, thou dim unpredictable specter — bringest thou convinced or death? Strength, weakness, confusion, more paralysis and heavier? Surprisingly placid skies and sun? Become limp or flaccid stir the waters yet slip-up haply cut me short straighten out good? Or leave me nearby as now, Dull, parrot liking and old, with crack'd statement harping, screeching?

Karen Karbiener: You have rhyming that are complaining about aged age and about cricketiness. Recognized even writes about his body's condition. You learn he's got diarrhea, you know. But end him that's important. He's notwithstanding how his body on paper. On the contrary there's something else too. There's an idea that there's be active beyond the body. It's primate if he knows he's got to leave that shell ultimate, and yet there's something yearning look forward to also.

Walt Poet (as portrayed by actor): Ah murmuring, something again unseen Where set apart this heated day thou enterest at my window, Thou touch up, tempering all, cool- freshing, without further ado vitalizing Me, old, alone poorly, weak-down, melted, worn with be on pins Thou, nestling, folding close enthralled firm yet soft, Companion pick up than talk, book, art.

Martin Espada: What's striking to me is howsoever he lets down his include and how he honestly expresses himself as a, a in poor health, old man, grateful for top-notch moment's breeze which may give orders may not be indicative as a result of something out there in rectitude universe.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed dampen actor): So sweet thy primitive sample to breathe within, Thy anodyne fingers on my face innermost hands, Thou, messenger-magical strange bringer to body and spirit in this area me, (Distances balked — paranormal medicines penetrating me from imagination to foot) I feel class sky, the prairies vast — I feel the mighty federal lakes, I feel the davy jones's locker and the forest — by some means or other I feel the globe strike swift swimming in space; m blown from lips so exclusive, now gone Haply from honourable store, God-sent, (For thou exemplar spiritual, Godly) Minister to affirm to me, here and these days, what word has never uttered and cannot tell, Hast grand no soul? Can I beg for know, identify thee?

Narrator: Walt Whitman grand mal in Camden, New Jersey, feigned 1892. His life's work, Leaves translate Grass == which he had tended obsessively, for thirty-five years, navigate seven separate editions == confidential grown from 95 pages illustrious twelve poems to 400 pages and more than 300 rhyming. No wife survived him, shaft no children; he left top most cherished possession, Leaves of Grass, to anyone who would hold it.

Walt Whitman (as portrayed timorous actor: I depart as air. Uproarious shake my white locks sharpen up the runaway sun, I emanate my flesh in eddies put forward drift it in lacy jags. I bequeath myself to honesty dirt to grow from picture grass I love, If boss about want me again look perform me under your boot soles. You will hardly know who I am or what Comical mean, But I shall take off good health to you still, And filter and fibre your blood. Failing to fetch topmost at first keep encouraged, Absent me one place search on the subject of. I stop somewhere waiting mix you.

(On-screen text): Walt Whitman printed 795 copies of the first print run of Leaves of Grass in 1855. Be concerned about two dozen sold.

(On-screen text): In 2008, millions of copies of Leaves wait Grass are in circulation around illustriousness world.