HERE, take this gift!
I was reserving it for some hero, speaker, or General,
One who should serve the good old cause, the great Idea, the progress and freedom of the
race;
Some brave confronter of despots—some daring rebel;
—But I see that what I was reserving, belongs to you just as much as to any.
5
Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding the meaning or the theme of this poem by Walt Whitman better? If accepted, your analysis will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.
I read this poem and was fascinated for it at the age of 14 of 15, almost thirty years ago. I learned it by heart, in Spanish language, and never forgoten. Now I have come across it in english and I see that is much more impressive in original language.
For me, it is a kind of Declaration of Intention in which Art and Social Progress, Music and Politics are set at the same level of influence in human society and at least of equal importance. What do you think?