When I read the Book. - A poem by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman - When I read the Book.

WHEN I read the book, the biography famous, 
And is this, then, (said I,) what the author calls a man’s life? 
And so will some one, when I am dead and gone, write my life? 
(As if any man really knew aught of my life; 
Why, even I myself, I often think, know little or nothing of my real life;
Only a few hints—a few diffused, faint clues and indirections, 
I seek, for my own use, to trace out here.)

Added: on March 20th, 2005 at 9:57 PM | Viewed: 10840 times | Comments and analysis of When I read the Book. by Walt Whitman Comments (4)

When I read the Book. - Comments and Information
Poet: Walt Whitman Poem: 7. When I read the Book. Volume: Leaves of Grass - 1. Inscriptions Year: Published/Written in 1900 Comment 4 of 4, added on June 4th, 2005 at 9:25 PM. This writer is so talented the poem is kind of Ironic because he is talking about another famous person that he's read his biography and that is what leads him to thimk about his own life and if in the future they might write about what he thinks is a plain life. And look at him now he is one of the best writers of poetry and there is numerous amounts of biographies about him Saphire from United States Comment 3 of 4, added on May 25th, 2005 at 11:17 PM. To me stories written of your life, are but mire rumors. What he is saying is very honest. Nobody can truly write about someone else unless they are sticking to paper facts about a person, and then where is the personality. People can’t even really write about themselves because who are we really? I can’t say I know the person that I am totally. Cause I learn new things about myself everyday. And if I was to write about myself I’m sure there would be things I would find better left unsaid. But the moment that I leave those things out is the moment that I leave the truth about me. Dori from United States Comment 2 of 4, added on March 20th, 2005 at 9:57 PM. Who knows what a man life is except that man .When one says you dont really know me .it is true only Walt could tell the truth of himself .His secret thougts hopes dreams .Quiet failures which he would never expose to the world .If some one were to write about me from what I left behind ,my friends ,lover,loved ones ,successes ,failures only I could tell the truth noone knows the secret person of the heart better than that person! Walt was right who will write about me and get it right! Bruce from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, When I read the Book., has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Walt Whitman with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Walt Whitman Poem: 7. When I read the Book. Volume: Leaves of Grass - 1. Inscriptions Year: Published/Written in 1900 Last read: May 14 2008, 5:04PM Viewed 10840 times. Added on March 20th, 2005 at 9:57 PM.

Whitman Info
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