Topics
Views for this Topic: 0
_REDDISH__11-27-11_001.jpg)
3/25/2026, 7:20 PM
A Dose of Walt Whirman
"Logic and sermons never convince, there is more truth in the damp of the night." "Both in and out of the game and watching and wondering at it." "How every good has its danger, and every dangerous power may be so restrained and guided as to be a source of good." (Whitman paraphrasing Goethe) "Sing of the foolish as much as the wise..." Walt Whitman Walt Whitman came to his fame slowly, very slowly. Wrote/published "Songs of Myself" in his 40s, after years in journalism, and a few years teaching school in his 20s. Shocked/scandalized the powers-that-be, with his vivid descriptions of sensuality, and broad-ranging views.
Add Comment3/31/2026, 11:49 AM
"Bearing the bandages, water and sponge, Straight and swift to my wounded I go, Where they lie on the ground after the battle brought in, Where their priceless blood reddens the grass, the ground, Or to the rows of the hospital tent, or under the roof’d hospital, To the long rows of cots up and down each side I return, To each and all one after another I draw near, not one do I miss, An attendant follows holding a tray, he carries a refuse pail, Soon to be fill’d with clotted rags and blood, emptied, and fill’d again. I onward go, I stop, With hinged knees and steady hand to dress wounds, I am firm with each, the pangs are sharp yet unavoidable, One turns to me his appealing eyes—poor boy! I never knew you, Yet I think I could not refuse this moment to die for you, if that would save you.." --the Wound-Dresser Yes Mortimer...
3/29/2026, 7:20 PM
Walt Whitman was a celebrated 19th Century poet. Mostly known for his writing, Whitman was also a healthcare worker during the U.S. Civil War. When his brother George was wounded in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, Whitman traveled from New York to come to his aid. Whitman cared for his brother in the Army hospital until he was able to return to his regiment. Despite his brother’s improved health, Whitman continued on to Washington, DC, to visit hospitalized soldiers.
3/29/2026, 3:20 AM
I read him a lot during Literature classes in college. We even did a song that the lyrics were kind of influenced by him.
3/27/2026, 8:59 PM
GOOD-BYE MY FANCY! GOOD-BYE my Fancy! Farewell dear mate, dear love! I'm going away, I know not where, Or to what fortune, or whether I may ever see you again, So Good-bye my Fancy. Now for my last—let me look back a moment; The slower fainter ticking of the clock is in me, Exit, nightfall, and soon the heart-thud stopping. Long have we lived, joy'd, caress'd together; Delightful!—now separation—Good-bye my Fancy. Yet let me not be too hasty, Long indeed have we lived, slept, filter'd, become really blended into one; Then if we die we die together, (yes, we'll remain one,) If we go anywhere we'll go together to meet what happens, May-be we'll be better off and blither, and learn something, May-be it is yourself now really ushering me to the true songs, (who knows?) May-be it is you the mortal knob really undoing, turning—so now finally, Good-bye—and hail! my Fancy.