Flowing and Swelling

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Celebrate Creativity - My name is George Bartley and this is episode 432 - Flowing and SwellingThis episode is the second in a series of podcast episodes about Walt Whitman’s unique approach to free verse.Now a good example of Walt Whitman's free verse - one that celebrates the messy, vibrant, and expansive reality of the modern world is from "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry." In this poem, he captures the sensory experience of a daily commute, blending the sublime with the mundane."Flowing and swelling, swelling and flowing,""The current rushes on, the men and women crowd the deck,""The flags and pennants, the masts, the white gulls, the dark water,""The fine-pointed towers of the new city rise to the sky,""The steam-boats passing, the bell-tolls, the cries of the men, the girls' laughter."This passage is a prime example of his free verse. It lacks a consistent meter or rhyme scheme. Instead, the lines flow with a natural, organic rhythm, much like the ferry's movement. He uses a long, sprawling line to fit in a multitude of images: the natural current, the diverse crowd, the man-made "towers," and the cacophony of modern city life. Whitman's democratic vision is also at play here, as he places the "men and women" alongside the "gulls" and "steam-boats," giving each element equal importance in this vibrant, modern scene.Walt Whitman often blended everyday language with elevated language, creating a style that was both democratic and epic. This elevated language drew inspiration from sources such as the Bible, opera, and classical literature, giving his poems a sense of grandeur and timelessness. He used these high-flown words and phrases to elevate the common person and everyday American life to a heroic, almost spiritual, level.Support the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.