The second interesting thing is that Whitman does not find it strange that he would pose a question to the Rain, but does find it strange that the Rain would respond. It is odd that one would pose a question without at least the remote expectation of an answer. It seems to me that Whitman would find just as much meaning in the silence he expected as the answer he received.

The final interesting thing about the first two lines is that while the Rain did offer an answer, it had to be translated into English.

“I am the Poem of the Earth, said the voice of the rain.” The Rain does speak to him, but through its own, unique voice. In view of this, it seems that Whitman is recognising a greater truth about life through the life cycle of a shower. The voice of the Rain is the rain itself, and its words are spoken through the formation, excitation, apparent death and rebirth of the storm–a cycle that has been repeating since the creation of rain.

The Rain proceeds to describe its role in this world–eliminating droughts and pelting the layers of the Earth. But it gives itself back to its origin, returning to its source to be born again.

Like the human body is formed from dust and to dust returns, the human soul too returns to its cosmic source when the body dies. Whitman is relating to us a truth that we can find simply by looking outside and seeing the world turn–that while we all have something to offer this world during our stay here, we will all eventually return to our source.

: a tiny particle

1 : a period of dryness especially when prolonged; specifically : one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth
2 : a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired