Reading response 9/08. Crossing Brooklyn Ferry by Walt Whitman

Beauty Beyond Our Eyes

Walt Whitman gives away the topic of his Poem by its title; “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”. Such an ordinary title, yet such complex experience which nourishes the soul.   The theme of humanity being united by recurrent events and experience is supported throughout the poem by various elements.  Repetition plays a key role in reinforcing the theme and making sure that it sticks by the readers mind.   In the third section Whitman states a universal truth, he is part of a bigger whole and a mirror image to others. Whitman gives a detailed and vivid description of everything he sees on the ferry. He also, connects with the reader through empathy. He states that both the reader and himself have felt the same emotions. Anaphora is used; he uses the word “Just” in the beginning of each line as follow.

              Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt,

              Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd,

              Just as you are refresh’d by the gladness of the river and the bright flow, I was refresh’d,

              Just as you stand and lean on the rail, yet hurry with the swift current, I stood yet was hurried,

              Just as you look on the numberless masts of ships and the thick-stemm’d pipes of steamboats, I look’d.

Its fascinating how Whitman plays the devil's advocate with the reader in the fifth section of the poem. He asks “ What is it the between us? What is the count of the scores or hundreds of years between us” ?  The reader fails to answer this question. That’s when he proceeds to the next section creating such a strong argument that neither of us can oppose to.  He is that good.  My favorite part is in the sixth section when he accuses himself of having “anger, lust, hot wishes I dare not speak, Was wayward, vain, greedy, shallow…” He mentions trait characteristics that all humans possess. We are all flawed in similar ways and that is what makes us beautiful.

While reading the poem out loud, I was able escape and identify with Whitman’s vision.  There’s a sense of urgency in Whitman’s voice, not only did I found myself breathless while reading it, I also felt empowered, persuaded, and could feel the passion he put into writing such free verse poetry.   I can connect with Whitman on a higher level due to the fact that I have been on a ferry myself. I know what is like to internalize the landscape, and feel such amusement and inner peace.  In One of the essays by Vivian Gornick in “approaching eye level” she states ”Nothing heals me of a sore and angry heart like a walk through the very city I often feel denying me.” Whitman feels the same way about crossing Brooklyn ferry. Both authors indirectly interact with the people around them which makes them feel great joy, because they are not alone. They know that as individuals we are united by going through the same struggles and common experiences. Whitman and Gornick acknowledge being  part of a bigger whole, being part of humanity.  They also, find spiritual peace in everyday routines. After all the most beautiful things in life are those which not only can we see with our eyes but feel with our soul.  Its just like William Shakespeare once said “ The eyes are the windows to our soul” and I couldn’t agree more with his quote.

There is something so comforting about viewing a landscape, such beauty isn't it?  What do you see? How does it make you feel? Does it warm your heart ? How the sun gently kisses our buildings exploding in such ecstasy, filling the air with its love. On any opportunity I take pictures of sunsets or landscapes because such images take my breath away, and I'm certain it takes your breath away too.