These I, Singing in Spring by Walt Whitman

These I, Singing in Spring by Walt Whitman

These, I, singing in spring, collect for lovers,
(For who but I should understand lovers, and all their sorrow and joy?
And who but I should be the poet of comrades?)
Collecting, I traverse the garden, the world but soon I pass the gates,
Now along the pond-side now wading in a little, fearing not the wet,
Now by the post-and-rail fences, where the old stones thrown there, pick’d from the fields, have accumulated,
Wild-flowers and vines and weeds come up through the stones, and partly cover them
Beyond these I pass,
Far, far in the forest, before I think where I go,
Solitary, smelling the earthy smell, stopping now and then in the silence,
Alone I had thought yet soon a silent troop gathers around me,
Some walk by my side, and some behind, and some embrace my arms or neck,
They, the spirits of friends, dead or alive thicker they come, a great crowd, and I in the middle,
Collecting, dispensing, singing in spring, there I wander with them,
Plucking something for tokens tossing toward whoever is near me;
Here! lilac, with a branch of pine,
Here out of my pocket, some moss which I pull’d off a live-oak in Florida, as it hung trailing down,
Here, some pinks and laurel leaves, and a handful of sage,
And here what I now draw from the water, wading in the pond-side,
(O here I last saw him that tenderly loves me and returns again, never to separate from me,
And this, O this shall henceforth be the token of comrades this Calamus-root shall,
Interchange it, youths, with each other! Let none render it back!)
And twigs of maple, and a bunch of wild orange, and chestnut,
And stems of currants, and plum-blows, and the aromatic cedar:
These, I, compass’d around by a thick cloud of spirits,
Wandering, point to, or touch as I pass, or throw them loosely from me,
Indicating to each one what he shall have giving something to each;
But what I drew from the water by the pond-side, that I reserve,
I will give of it but only to them that love, as I myself am capable of loving.

In Walt Whitman’s poem, the speaker embarks on a journey through nature, collecting tokens and reflecting on themes of love, companionship, and the interconnectedness of all things. Through vivid imagery and introspective musings, Whitman explores the deep bonds between individuals, the profound connection with the natural world, and the enduring presence of memory and spirit. As the speaker traverses landscapes and encounters both solitude and the company of unseen companions, the poem delves into the complexities of human relationships and the universal longing for love and connection.

Themes:

• Celebration of love and companionship: Whitman’s poem celebrates the beauty and significance of love, both romantic and platonic, as the speaker collects tokens and interacts with spirits, emphasizing the importance of human connection and camaraderie.
• Connection with nature and the environment: Nature serves as a backdrop for the speaker’s journey, with vivid descriptions of the garden, forest, and ponds. Through these natural settings, Whitman highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings and the spiritual nourishment found in the natural world.
• Reflection on mortality and the presence of spirits: The poem touches upon themes of mortality and the passage of time, as the speaker reflects on the presence of spirits—both living and deceased—that accompany them on their journey, suggesting a sense of continuity and interconnectedness beyond the physical realm.
• The act of giving and sharing tokens of affection: Through the collection and distribution of tokens such as flowers, leaves, and roots, the speaker engages in acts of giving and sharing, symbolizing the exchange of affection and the importance of small gestures in expressing love and camaraderie.
• The significance of memory and personal experiences: Memories and personal experiences are woven throughout the poem, as the speaker recalls past encounters and reflects on their enduring impact. These memories serve as reminders of love and connection, shaping the speaker’s interactions with both the natural world and the spirits that accompany them.
• The longing for enduring love and connection: Amidst the transient beauty of spring, the poem hints at a deeper longing for enduring love and connection, as the speaker reserves a special token for those capable of reciprocating love in its truest form, suggesting a yearning for lasting bonds and meaningful relationships.