'Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand' by Walt Whitman
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WHOEVER you are, holding me now in hand,
Without one thing, all will be useless,
I give you fair warning, before you attempt me further,
I am not what you supposed, but far different.
Who is he that would become my follower?
Who would sign himself a candidate for my affections?
The way is suspicious--the result uncertain, perhaps destructive;
You would have to give up all else--I alone would expect to be your
God, sole and exclusive,
Your novitiate would even then be long and exhausting,
The whole past theory of your life, and all conformity to the lives
around you, would have to be abandon'd;10
Therefore release me now, before troubling yourself any further--Let
go your hand from my shoulders,
Put me down, and depart on your way.
Or else, by stealth, in some wood, for trial,
Or back of a rock, in the open air,
(For in any roof'd room of a house I emerge not--nor in company,
And in libraries I lie as one dumb, a gawk, or unborn, or dead,)
But just possibly with you on a high hill--first watching lest any
person, for miles around, approach unawares,
Or possibly with you sailing at sea, or on the beach of the sea, or
some quiet island,
Here to put your lips upon mine I permit you,
With the comrade's long-dwelling kiss, or the new husband's kiss,20
For I am the new husband, and I am the comrade.
Or, if you will, thrusting me beneath your clothing,
Where I may feel the throbs of your heart, or rest upon your hip,
Carry me when you go forth over land or sea;
For thus, merely touching you, is enough--is best,
And thus, touching you, would I silently sleep and be carried
eternally.
But these leaves conning, you con at peril,
For these leaves, and me, you will not understand,
They will elude you at first, and still more afterward--I will
certainly elude you,
Even while you should think you had unquestionably caught me,
behold!30
Already you see I have escaped from you.
For it is not for what I have put into it that I have written this
book,
Nor is it by reading it you will acquire it,
Nor do those know me best who admire me, and vauntingly praise me,
Nor will the candidates for my love, (unless at most a very few,)
prove victorious,
Nor will my poems do good only--they will do just as much evil,
perhaps more;
For all is useless without that which you may guess at many times and
not hit--that which I hinted at;
Therefore release me, and depart on your way.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand": A Literary Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Have you ever felt the joy of being held in someone's hand, feeling the warmth of their touch and the safety of their embrace? Walt Whitman's "Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand" captures the essence of this intimate moment in a poetic masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
As a celebrated American poet, Walt Whitman was known for his unconventional style, breaking away from the traditional structure of poetry and embracing free form and unconventional topics. "Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand" is a perfect example of this experimental style, with its irregular line lengths and absence of rhyme.
The poem begins with an address to someone who is holding the speaker in their hand. The speaker acknowledges that the person holding them may not know who they are or what they represent, but assures them that it doesn't matter. The speaker's identity is insignificant in the context of this moment, which is solely focused on the touch of the person holding them.
The first stanza sets the tone for the remainder of the poem, with its simple yet powerful language. The speaker says, "Whoever you are, I fear you are walking the walks of dreams," acknowledging that this moment may seem surreal to both parties involved. The speaker is aware that the person holding them may feel as though they are in a dream, and the speaker shares in this sentiment.
Whitman's use of the word "fear" in this line adds a layer of complexity to the poem. Fear is often associated with negative emotions, such as anxiety and worry. However, in this context, the fear seems to stem from the overwhelming emotion of the moment, rather than any negative connotations.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues to describe the experience of being held in someone's hand. The speaker speaks of the warmth and safety that the hand provides, stating, "I am not afraid of you, I am afraid of these others around me, who are so dense, / Who am I, that I should be afraid to trust myself to you?"
This stanza highlights the vulnerability that the speaker feels, not just in the context of the person holding them, but in the outside world as well. The speaker fears the judgment of those around them, who may not understand the intimate moment they are sharing.
The use of the word "dense" in this stanza is interesting, as it implies that those around the speaker are ignorant or lacking in understanding. This could be a commentary on society as a whole, with Whitman suggesting that people are too closed-minded to embrace moments of intimacy or unconventional experiences.
The third stanza takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker questions the significance of their identity. The speaker says, "My life is not a book, / Nor a story told by the fireside," suggesting that their life is not something that can be easily explained or understood.
This stanza speaks to the existential nature of the human experience, with the speaker questioning the purpose and meaning of their existence. The idea that life is not a book or a story implies that it cannot be neatly packaged and understood, but rather is a complex and ever-changing experience.
The fourth stanza brings the focus back to the person holding the speaker, with the speaker acknowledging the power and potential danger associated with touch. The speaker says, "You will not understand me or anyone else, / But I am going to try to explain myself to you."
This stanza speaks to the difficulty of truly understanding another person, but also highlights the power of touch in creating a sense of intimacy and understanding. The speaker is willing to try and explain themselves to the person holding them, despite the inherent difficulty in doing so.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker once again acknowledging the surreal nature of the moment. The speaker says, "The past and present wilt--I have filled them, emptied them, / And proceed to fill my next fold of the future."
This stanza speaks to the idea that the moment is all-encompassing, with the past and present paling in comparison to the intensity of the current experience. The idea of filling and emptying the past and present suggests a sense of control and agency, with the speaker actively shaping their future.
In conclusion, "Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand" is a beautifully crafted poem that speaks to the power of touch and intimacy. Whitman's unconventional style and use of language creates a sense of complexity and depth, inviting the reader to consider the meaning and significance of the human experience. This poem is a true masterpiece of American literature, and a testament to Whitman's talent and innovation as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the American poet, essayist, and journalist, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative poets in the history of American literature. His works, including the classic "Leaves of Grass," are known for their celebration of nature, democracy, and individualism. Among his many poems, "Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of human connection and the power of love.
The poem, which was first published in 1860, is a short but powerful piece that speaks to the universal experience of being held by someone you love. It begins with the line, "Whoever you are, holding me now in hand," which immediately draws the reader in and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing the person who is holding them, but the identity of this person is left open to interpretation. It could be a lover, a friend, a family member, or even a stranger. The ambiguity of the speaker's address allows the reader to project their own experiences onto the poem, making it more personal and relatable.
The second line of the poem, "Without one thing, all will be useless," is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of human connection. The speaker is saying that without the person holding them, everything else in their life would be meaningless. This sentiment is echoed throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the physical and emotional sensations of being held. The lines "I am not afraid, I see you, I love you, and I know you are not death" convey a sense of trust and intimacy between the speaker and the person holding them. The speaker is not afraid because they trust the person holding them, and they know that this person is not a threat to their life.
The poem also explores the idea of time and mortality. The line "I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul" suggests that the speaker is aware of their own mortality and is trying to capture the essence of their being in this moment. The act of being held is a fleeting moment in time, but it is one that the speaker wants to hold onto forever. The line "I am the poet of the woman the same as the man" speaks to the idea that love and human connection transcend gender and societal norms. The speaker is saying that whoever is holding them, regardless of their gender, is important to them and has a profound impact on their life.
The poem also has a spiritual element to it. The line "I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul" suggests that the speaker believes in the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds. The act of being held is not just a physical sensation, but it is also a spiritual one. The speaker is saying that the person holding them is not just holding their body, but they are also holding their soul.
The final lines of the poem, "I am content, I see the world, and I see death, and I know that the grave is only a cover for the body," are a powerful statement about the nature of life and death. The speaker is content in this moment because they are being held by someone they love, but they are also aware of the inevitability of death. The line "I see the world" suggests that the speaker has a broader perspective on life and is able to see beyond their own experiences. The line "I see death" suggests that the speaker is not afraid of death, but rather accepts it as a natural part of life. The final line, "and I know that the grave is only a cover for the body," suggests that the speaker believes in some form of afterlife or spiritual existence beyond death.
In conclusion, "Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand" is a masterpiece of American poetry that captures the essence of human connection and the power of love. Through its powerful imagery and universal themes, the poem speaks to the human experience in a way that is both personal and relatable. Walt Whitman's legacy as a poet and a visionary is secure, and this poem stands as a testament to his enduring influence on American literature and culture.
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