In my early years of college, when we started
reading poetry from the classic poets, I was drawn to Walt Whitman. The weird
thing is I can’t remember why. I can’t even remember what poem fascinated me
about him. But since I’ve often thought about why I like Walt Whitman, I
thought I’d end April, National Poetry Writing Month, with a Whitman poem. I
picked this poem because I love the title and how he speaks of a country’s
flag.
BATHED in war's perfume--delicate
flag!
(Should the days needing armies, needing fleets, come again,)
O to hear you call the sailors and the soldiers! flag like a
beautiful woman!
O to hear the tramp, tramp, of a million answering men! O the ships
they arm with joy!
O to see you leap and beckon from the tall masts of ships!
O to see you peering down on the sailors on the decks!
Flag like the eyes of women.
(Should the days needing armies, needing fleets, come again,)
O to hear you call the sailors and the soldiers! flag like a
beautiful woman!
O to hear the tramp, tramp, of a million answering men! O the ships
they arm with joy!
O to see you leap and beckon from the tall masts of ships!
O to see you peering down on the sailors on the decks!
Flag like the eyes of women.
Patriotism
and Poetry,
Bea
