Camden Annotation

Whitman loved to take endless strolls down streets like Broadway in New York and look for inspiration for his writing. Here, I think he is speaking of such a day. He uses words like hurrying, whirls and shuffling that lead me to believe he is speaking of how busy the New York streets are. There is so much vitality in the city and every person and every thing has its own story. This poem is so descriptive, it is easy to imagine you are walking right along with Whitman. The last two lines, I feel, sum up the poem...I think Whitman is saying that nothing compares to New York.

I cannot figure out how to edit...but it should be noted that my quote was found on page 105 in "Gathering of Forces" which I accidentally left out in the last post.

Whitman Walt. "Gathering of Forces" Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1847.

VENERABLE: 1. made sacred especially by religious or historical association 2. calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments

This poem was originally published in 1885 as "Ah, Not This Granite Dead and Cold" but later as "Washington's Monument, February, 1885." Whitman felt as though Washington meant more than just a monument; he was a symbol of American Freedom that could be felt all over the world. Whitman once said after it had been erected that he felt it “meant something in the friendship of nations” and that was his greatest hope. This poem reflects this sentiment as Whitman describes his fondness for Washington. He makes clear though that no monument can truly signify all the characteristics that were Washington’s. The true monument, as Whitman states at the end of the poem, is wherever one finds their toleration for others and freedom for thyself.