Wandering at Morn
Wandering at Morn - context Summary
Reflecting Patriotic Hope
Whitman wanders at dawn, watching a thrush feeding its young and reading the bird’s joyful song as a hopeful emblem for his troubled country. Addressing the Union, he admits its corruption and danger but suggests that lowly or damaged things can be transformed into blessing. The poem links natural renewal and humble instruction to national recovery, expressing cautious faith that a future, triumphant song may arise from present trials.
Read Complete AnalysesWANDERING at morn, Emerging from the night, from gloomy thoughts—thee in my thoughts, Yearning for thee, harmonious Union! thee, Singing Bird divine! Thee, seated coil’d in evil times, my Country, with craft and black dismay—with every meanness, treason thrust upon thee; —Wandering—this common marvel I beheld—the parent thrush I watch’d, feeding its young, (The singing thrush, whose tones of joy and faith ecstatic, Fail not to certify and cheer my soul.) There ponder’d, felt I, If worms, snakes, loathsome grubs, may to sweet spiritual songs be turn’d, If vermin so transposed, so used, so bless’d may be, Then may I trust in you, your fortunes, days, my country; —Who knows that these may be the lessons fit for you? From these your future Song may rise, with joyous trills, Destin’d to fill the world.
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