Question

i believe in you my soul, the other i am must not abase itself to you,
and you must not be abased to the other.

loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat,
not words, not music or rhyme i want, not custom or lecture, not even the best,
only the lull i like, the hum of your valvèd voice.

i mind how once we lay such a transparent summer morning,
how you settled your head athwart my hips and gently turn’d over upon me,
and parted the shirt from my bosom - bone, and plunged your tongue to my bare - stript heart,
and reach’d till you felt my beard, and reach’d till you held my feet.

swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth,
and i know that the hand of god is the promise of my own,
and i know that the spirit of god is the brother of my own,
and that all the men ever born are also my brothers, and the women my sisters and lovers,
and that a kelson of the creation is love,
and limitless are leaves stiff or drooping in the fields,
and brown ants in the little wells beneath them,
and mossy scabs of the worm fence, heap’d stones, elder, mullein* and poke - weed.

mullein = plant

directions:

1. read the poem by walt whitman
2. determine the most interesting / important lines in the poem and underline them
3. write a margin annotation, summarizing the meaning of the most important lines in the poem.

a. your annotation should express what you think is the meaning / point / purpose of the poem

Explanation:

To complete the task:

1. Step 1: Read the Poem - This is a poem by Walt Whitman, likely from "Song of Myself" or a similar work, focusing on intimacy, connection with nature, and spiritual unity.
2. Step 2: Identify Important Lines - Lines like "Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth," "And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own," and "And that a kelson of the creation is love" are key. They highlight the shift from physical intimacy to spiritual/philosophical realization about unity with God, others, and nature.
3. Step 3: Write Margin Annotation - The poem explores the deep connection between two people, then expands to a universal connection with all of creation (people, nature, God). The physical intimacy leads to a spiritual awakening where the speaker feels at one with everything, realizing love is the core of existence, and peace comes from this unity that transcends earthly debates.

For example, an annotation for the line about peace and knowledge could be: "This line marks the transition from physical closeness to a spiritual/philosophical understanding—finding peace in unity with all, beyond earthly conflicts." For the overall poem: "Whitman uses intimate imagery to lead to a vision of universal unity: love binds all (people, nature, God), and true peace/knowledge come from this interconnectedness."

Answer:

Step 1: Read the Poem

Engage with the text, noting themes of intimacy, nature, and spiritual unity.

Step 2: Underline Important Lines

Example key lines (underline these):

• "Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth,"
• "And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own,"
• "And that a kelson of the creation is love,"
• (Optional: The physical intimacy lines, as they set up the spiritual shift: e.g., "And parted the shirt from my bosom - bone, and plunged your tongue to my bare - stript heart," )

Step 3: Write Margin Annotations

• For the line about peace/knowledge: "After physical intimacy, the speaker experiences a spiritual awakening—peace and wisdom from unity with all, beyond earthly strife."
• For the overall poem (summary annotation): "Whitman blends physical intimacy with universal unity: love is the 'kelson' (core) of creation. The poem moves from personal connection to oneness with people, nature, and God, finding peace in this interconnectedness."