part of life is thoroughly examined also by Whitman. He leaves nothing out of his view when describing what is part of his existence. “Evil propels me and reform of propels me, I stand indifferent…” (pg. 43) The poet expresses here his feelings for the darker side of life, he is indifferent. Whitman recognizes the darker side of the spectrum of life, which he writes about and he accepts it without accepting or rejecting it whole hearted. This just further proves Whitman’s infatuation with life in general, all parts. It is a love so strong that it has even become a worship of sorts for the proverbial poet.The poem “song of myself” is a conveyance of many things for Walt Whitman. It is a celebration of this crazy idea of the proverbial “America” and how it is actually working. This poem is to reflect a road map for the correct modern American poet of the day. Along with these guidelines for the poet Whitman, includes his own opinions and feelings that should be shared for the most part in his mind is a true American poet. Among the myriad feelings expressed by Whitman in his poem his passion for nature, all parts of nature, is the most focused upon. When Emily Dickinson writes of tasting “a liquor never brewed”, and being “ inebriate of air” (pg. 152) in poem 214 of hers, we truly understand this faith that Whitman preaches about in his epic. A religion is something that you have all of your heart’s true love in, for it gave you life and nourishes you. This religion celebrates both the beauty and the beasts of life and accepts all of the little foibles along with the majestic parts of our existence. Walt Whitman paints a beautiful portrait in his poetry of how religion accomplishes these goals to become his faith, and the faith of the “poet”. ...
