ADIEU, O soldier!
You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,)
The rapid march, the life of the camp,
The hot contention of opposing fronts—the long manoeuver,
Red battles with their slaughter,—the stimulus—the strong, terrific game,
Spell of all brave and manly hearts—the trains of Time through you, and like of you,
all
fill’d,
With war, and war’s expression.

Adieu, dear comrade!
Your mission is fulfill’d—but I, more warlike,
Myself, and this contentious soul of mine,
Still on our own campaigning bound,
Through untried roads, with ambushes, opponents lined,
Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis—often baffled,
Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out—aye here,
To fiercer, weightier battles give expression.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Walt Whitman's poem Adieu to a Soldier.

5 Comments

  1. JOE BREDL says:

    THIS POEM IS REALLY GOOD I READ IT TO MYSELF EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP. IT HELPS ME RELAX, THIS AND MY TEDDY BEAR

  2. Elesandro says:

    Adieu to a soldier is the dream of a man whos heart is sour from fighting and like so many of our war veterans today, will never forget the horrible things thay have seen. Go Elesandro

  3. bobo says:

    BOBO THINKS IT IS GOOD AND SHOWS US THE TRIALS THAT WE FACE IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES.GO BOBO

  4. Toria McMullin says:

    I read this poem just after reading his earlier poem “As I ponder’d in Silence” from the first volume and I suggest reading these two poems in tandem to others. I feel through Whitman’s poetry that he desires to give courage and hope to his readers who, like all mankind, must tredge through the battle of life. Whitman’s peaceful and beautiful aproach to life is comforting and fresh. I hope others feel this same strength as they read his poetry.

  5. Claudio says:

    I read this poem first on the book “The short timers” by Gustav Hasford. It impressioned me the placidity, the freshness, describing Death and Life. Thanks for the attention

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