Ever since I fell madly in love with a cute girl in 7th grade, I have been infatuated with poetry. It began as a simple gesture to display my passionate, sappy affection for this girl, but five years later poetry has become a passion in itself and truly an extension of who I am. It is how I make sense of the fast-paced and secular world we live in; poetry is the very fuel that keeps my spirit ticking. If you are a hopeless romantic like me, or simply someone who enjoys the art of verse and the deeper meaning behind it, this column is certainly for you.

Each edition will include two poems, the first being a featured piece written by a famous poet which will be analyzed and interpreted according to my point of view. Of course, everyone’s interpretation is different and valid, and the comment section will be open for any further discussion. The second piece is written by yours truly and will be open to complete interpretation and analysis. Each of the following editions will include a chosen comment with the most intriguing and/or accurate interpretation of the poem. Go forth, enjoy and as you read, remember: “It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau

Poem One: A Clear Midnight by Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

This is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless,
Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson
done,
Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the
themes thou lovest best,
Night, sleep, death and the stars.

Thoughts: Although not very well known, I believe this is one of Whitman’s most beautiful poems. Yes, I am biased because I see Whitman as a poetry God; even so, there is a lot to say about this piece. We can all relate to the feeling Whitman expresses through this poem if we consider how we feel when the school day is over and we are lying awake in bed. There are no more books to pour over, study guides to scroll through, or classes to sit through. Sleep is more than a physical rest, for it is also an opportunity for our souls to take a deep breath and relax. Instead of worrying about school and our extracurricular activities, our few moments before bed allow our human spirits to experience a short serenity and contemplate the beauty of this world. Whitman says our souls are allowed to “fully emerge” and focus on what it means to be a human being living on this planet earth, instead of our comparatively trivial everyday pursuits. It is a beautiful poem that looks deep into the human soul and unveils the “themes” we should be thinking of instead of Calculus and never-ending Physics homework.

Poem Two: When the Stars Stop Shimmering by D.C.

If all the world comes to a screeching stop,

And the stars above me lose their luster,

Will you wait for me in the promised place?

What happens when the earth begins to split

Into broken, unfair, dividing blocks?

Does love stop dead in its tracks and softly

Weep gentle tears beneath the fading moon?

Do passion and desire wither beneath

The bright, central star that darkens with age?

I waited for you on that summer day

When the scorching sun shined upon the leaves.

I saw you approaching me down the road;

But you never came to meet me that day.

A kiss, or two, was stolen from my lips

Underneath the towering canopies.

No understanding or love was in them.

I suppose I’ve answered my own questions.

So, when the stars stop shimmering above,

And the earth stops spinning on its axis,

You won’t wait for me; You never did, right?

Because when you were there, it wasn’t you.

What are your thoughts on the Whitman poem? Do you agree with my interpretation? Any ideas on the meaning of my poem? I encourage you to voice your opinions and discuss in the comment section below. Happy analyzing!