A to Z 2026 W: “What Think You I Take My Pen in Hand?” by Walt Whitman (1860)
Bonus: https://www.facebook.com/100064035043542/videos/celebrity-jeopardy-calista-flockhart-nicolas-cage-sean-connery-snl/338122197445248/
WHY IS THIS NOT ON YOUTUBE
Summary: It's short, I'm just gonna paste the whole thing here:
What think you I take my pen in hand to record?
The battle-ship, perfect-model'd, majestic, that I saw pass the
offing to-day under full sail?
The splendors of the past day? or the splendor of the night that
envelops me?
Or the vaunted glory and growth of the great city spread around me? --no;
But merely of two simple men I saw to-day on the pier in the midst
of the crowd, parting the parting of dear friends,
The one to remain hung on the other's neck and passionately kiss'd him,
While the one to depart tightly prest the one to remain in his arms.
Commentary:
This seemed appropriate for this blog.
"They were friends."
Walt was right—that scene is better than the ship!
ReplyDeleteThe closest thing I can think of to a good poem featuring battleships is the Tears in The Rain monologue from Blade Runner.
ReplyDelete