'Ages And Ages, Returning At Intervals' by Walt Whitman


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AGES and ages, returning at intervals,
Undestroy'd, wandering immortal,
Lusty, phallic, with the potent original loins, perfectly sweet,
I, chanter of Adamic songs,
Through the new garden, the West, the great cities calling,
Deliriate, thus prelude what is generated, offering these, offering
myself,
Bathing myself, bathing my songs in Sex,
Offspring of my loins.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Walt Whitman's "Ages And Ages, Returning At Intervals"

In "Ages and Ages, Returning at Intervals," Walt Whitman explores the cyclical nature of history and the human experience. The poem is a celebration of time and the eternal recurrence of life, death, and rebirth.

Structure and Form

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The first and last lines of each stanza are repeated, creating a circular structure that mirrors the theme of cyclical time. The form of the poem is free verse, reflecting Whitman's rejection of traditional poetic forms and his embrace of the natural rhythms of speech.

Themes and Motifs

The central theme of the poem is the cyclical nature of history and the human experience. Whitman celebrates the eternal recurrence of life, death, and rebirth, seeing each as a necessary part of the larger cycle of existence. He sees humanity as part of this larger cycle, with each generation building on the accomplishments of the previous one.

Whitman also explores the theme of continuity, emphasizing the connection between past, present, and future. He sees history as a living, breathing entity, one that is constantly evolving and changing. He recognizes that the past shapes the present and the future, and that we are all part of a larger narrative that stretches back through time.

The poem is also filled with motifs of nature and the cosmos. Whitman sees humanity as part of the natural world, and he celebrates the interconnectedness of all things. He sees the cycle of life, death, and rebirth reflected in the natural world, with the changing seasons and the rhythms of the earth echoing the larger cycle of existence.

Analysis

The poem begins with the repetition of the phrase "ages and ages," emphasizing the cyclical nature of time. Whitman then describes the "returning at intervals" of the seasons, the tides, and the stars, suggesting that these natural rhythms are a reflection of the larger cycle of existence.

Whitman then turns to the history of humanity, describing the rise and fall of civilizations and the passing of generations. He acknowledges that each generation builds on the accomplishments of the previous one, but he also recognizes that each generation is unique and has its own contribution to make to the larger narrative of history.

Whitman sees history as a living, breathing entity, one that is constantly evolving and changing. He emphasizes the importance of continuity, recognizing that the past shapes the present and the future. He sees the accomplishments of the past as a source of inspiration for the present and the future, and he celebrates the interconnectedness of all things.

The poem ends with the repetition of the phrase "ages and ages," emphasizing the cyclical nature of time and the eternal recurrence of life, death, and rebirth. Whitman sees humanity as part of a larger cycle of existence, and he celebrates the interconnectedness of all things.

Conclusion

In "Ages and Ages, Returning at Intervals," Walt Whitman celebrates the cyclical nature of history and the human experience. He sees each generation as part of a larger narrative that stretches back through time, and he emphasizes the importance of continuity and the interconnectedness of all things. The poem is a celebration of life, death, and rebirth, and a recognition of the eternal recurrence of all things.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Ages And Ages, Returning At Intervals: A Timeless Masterpiece by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. His poetry is known for its unconventional style, free-flowing structure, and profound themes. One of his most famous works, Poetry Ages And Ages, Returning At Intervals, is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its enduring power.

The poem begins with the lines, "Ages and ages, returning at intervals, / Undestroy'd, wandering immortal, / Lusty, phallic, with the potent original loins, / Perfectly sweet, and clean." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the eternal nature of poetry. Whitman sees poetry as a force that transcends time and space, and that is always present, even when it is not being actively created or consumed.

The next stanza of the poem continues this theme, with Whitman describing poetry as "the past, the future, / The expansive space of the phenomena, / The hodge-podge, the commonalty, / The flowing, the inexplicable, the ever-changing." Here, Whitman is emphasizing the diversity and complexity of poetry, which can encompass everything from the mundane to the sublime, the ordinary to the extraordinary.

As the poem progresses, Whitman becomes more explicit in his praise of poetry, describing it as "the voice of the mother, / The nurse's voice, the child's cry, / The lover's sigh, the announcer's shout, / The ecclesiast's prayer, the judge's decision." Here, he is highlighting the many different roles that poetry can play in our lives, from comforting and nurturing us to inspiring and challenging us.

Whitman also emphasizes the democratic nature of poetry, which he sees as a force that can unite people across all boundaries of race, class, and gender. He writes, "It avails not, time nor place—distance avails not, / I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence, / Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt." Here, he is suggesting that poetry can create a sense of shared experience and connection, even across vast distances of time and space.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Whitman declares that poetry is "the word of the modern, the word En-Masse." Here, he is suggesting that poetry has the power to speak to and for the masses, and that it can be a force for social change and progress. He goes on to write, "Here are the roughs and beards and space and ruggedness and nonchalance that the soul loves, / Here the amplest growths and the staunchest and the staunchest trees, / Here the toughest and the wildest animals that roam the woods, / Here the best romances, the most perfect art, / Here the interminable rocks, the surf, the mid-day sun, the snowy winter-time." In these lines, Whitman is celebrating the diversity and richness of the natural world, and suggesting that poetry can capture and convey this beauty and power.

In conclusion, Poetry Ages And Ages, Returning At Intervals is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the enduring power and beauty of this art form. Whitman's celebration of poetry as a force that transcends time and space, that can unite people across all boundaries, and that can be a force for social change and progress, is as relevant today as it was when he wrote this poem over a century ago. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of our time, we would do well to remember the words of this great poet, and to draw inspiration and strength from the timeless power of poetry.

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