Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Secular or Eclectic : Transcendentalist 19th Century	About Walt Whitman Timeline (1819 - 1892)
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Original Language English	[4] Trippers and askers surround me, (from Song of Myself)
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Fire   Lover and Beloved         Recommended Books Dead Poets Society (DVD), by Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman Song of Myself, by Walt Whitman	Trippers and askers surround me, People I meet, the effect upon me of my early life or the ward and city I live in, or the nation, The latest dates, discoveries, inventions, societies, authors old and new, My dinner, dress, associates, looks, compliments, dues, The real or fancied indifference of some man or woman I love, The sickness of one of my folks or of myself, or ill-doing or loss or lack of money, or depressions or exaltations, Battles, the horrors of fratricidal war, the fever of doubtful news, the fitful events; These come to me days and nights and go from me again, But they are not the Me myself. Apart from the pulling and hauling stands what I am, Stands amused, complacent, compassionating, idle, unitary, Looks down, is erect, or bends an arm on an impalpable certain rest, Looking with side-curved head curious what will come next, Both in and out of the game and watching and wondering at it. Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with linguists and contenders, I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait.     -- from Song of Myself, by Walt Whitman Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

This selection from Song of Myself beautifully suggests the nondualist recognition of the eternal divinity as being seated within oneself, as the true Self of selves.

Activity, aspiration, suffering may swirl about, crying constantly for our attention, but these are what we experience, not what we are. "But they are not Me myself. / Apart from the pulling and hauling stands what I am..."

The supreme Self is not so much a participant since it is complete, eternal; the Divine permeates all things and all activities, without being caught in identification with specifics or the duality of action/inaction, success/failure. Instead, the Self stands as the still and ever a blissful, ever aware witness, "...amused, complacent, compassionating, idle, unitary..."

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
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