More or Less

David Whitman "Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry" & Emily Dickinson poem 202 & 236


Of all poems and of all the poets to each is truly his own. There comes with poems a knowledge of background and upbringing about the authors themselves which contributes to the underlying messages and themes which they are pursuing in the pieces. The style in which an artist of words portrays himself and that of which he writes speaks on many levels and can touch each individual who might come across it in a very unexpected way. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson were two very expressive poets and writers. Although the messages they delivered through their poems seem to me specific within each verse lies its meaning.
Walt Whitman had a certain style of poem writings which seems to be a bit out of the norm as he is very expressive and at times long winded with his choice of diction. In the poem by Whitman “ Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry,” spoke to me in a variety of different ways. There were two verses that I found to be what describes Whitman himself. In section three he says, “ just as one of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd,” and in section four, “ ….Others the same – others who looked back on me because I looked forward to them.” To me these lines indicate and demonstrate the unparalleled confidence that Whitman chose to show to others through his words. These lines to speak of his purpose as he has set his mind upon the goals in which he pursues constantly looking forward and singling himself out of the crowds around him to achieve his desired destination through his personal progression.
Emily Dickinson was another writer who was able to use poems in which to best describe her emotions and feelings. She differs from Whitman in that she uses more of what one would describe as the usual style of poetry with rhythm and rhyme. For me personally I enjoyed reading the lines of Dickinson’s poems as the were more precise and less wordy than that of Whitman. She seemed to be a writer full of faith and of living out what you preach such as the poems numbered 202 and 236 indicate. Poem 202 is a short poem that for me entails the importance of having faith, but as well as retaining reason at the same time. Often times many people have faith in things such as religion, but lack the reasons for their faith. I believe that to have faith demonstrates courage and responsibility to God and to oneself, but that to truly demonstrate faith you must be knowledgeable as to why you have faith. In the poem numbered 236 Dickinson describes how some people honor the Sabbath by going to church as she is able to honor it as she sits at home. It seems as that she is making a point about those who are religious for show rather than truly living their doctrines as in her last verse she says, “ so instead of getting to Heave, at last – I’m going, all along.” Basically for Dickinson it is not who you are once a week that determine your salvation, but who you are every day of your life.

JARGON 101

Estranged, deranged and rearanged
Untamed, unclaimed, and seemingly strange

My canter of jargon amidst the scramble
Forgive my banter I intend to ramble