“A Dream Within a Dream” By Edgar Allan Poe. 

If there’s one word I would use to describe myself over the course of my entire life, it would be “outsider.” An introvert to the core and quiet to a fault, I have always found myself watching conversations and human interaction from afar, as if on a television screen, or in a dream — a dream within a dream. 

Life goes by fast, too fast for most people to make any lasting difference in the world. Poe despairs about this very thing in “A Dream Within a Dream,” in which he wonders if life is just a dream. He views love and hope as a dream, when he loses these things, it’s akin to waking up. However, he finds that upon waking up from this secondary dream, reality is just as much a dream. He isn’t wrong — how can we be certain anything is real? All of our senses, the things we feel, see and experience, are just electrical signals in the squishy mass of our brains. 

In the second stanza of the poem, Poe is standing on the beach, holding sand in his hands. He realizes that the more he tries to hold on to the sand, the more it slips through his fingers. This is exactly what it’s like to try to hold on to parts of your life that don’t exist anymore. When you do this, more and more of your life will slip past you.

I admit, I get stuck in my head a lot thinking about the past. I have obsessive compulsive disorder; ruminating about the past is something of an Olympic sport for me. If I don’t make the conscious effort to stop thinking so much about the past, holding on to things that happened a long time ago, reliving them, I will get stuck there and miss what’s going on right in front of me. Yes, I watch life go by in a dream, but I want to be present in the dream, not trying to recount the ones I had in the past that I can’t change now.

It seems like Poe is also an expert on reliving the past. In fact, “A Dream Within a Dream” is a revision of a poem he wrote previously, “Imitation.” I will say that revisiting the past in this way was a good thing — I like “A Dream Within a Dream” much more than its predecessor. Breaking it up into two stanzas made it much stronger, with two individual ideas: realizing life is a dream within a dream, and holding on to the past as it slips away from you. It also instills the poem with a natural turning point, where the tone shifts from curiosity and potential hope to despair.

This poem gives words to the desperation of watching the world turn and people living their lives all around you. As he stands on the shore, he notes how it roars. There are so many things going on around him, the waves coming and going like life, taking the past — the sand — from his hands as it slips through his fingers, and all he can focus on is saving the sand, just one particle from being swept away by the tide. 

I don’t mean to give advice to a man much more renowned and undoubtedly wiser than myself, but if I could tell Poe anything, it would be to not let life pass by watching from the outside, people flitting around you like characters in a stage play around black-clad staff members. Let the ocean waves wash the sand off your hands. Embrace life, embrace the hard parts, embrace the love you lose, embrace the inevitable. Embrace the dream.

sand running through a person’s hands on the beach

As an impressionable young girl searching for selfhood in any form of media I consumed, “O Me! O Life!” by Walt Whitman was my first look into the world of poetry, and I decided to make it my whole personality for approximately a year or so. I am probably among the masses when I say that watching Dead Poets Society by Peter Weir changed the trajectory of my 13 year old life, and when Robin Williams’ character recited Whitman’s “O Me! O Life!”, I simply could not get it out of my head. Covering my notebooks and walls with my pink and blue gel pens, I scribed “the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse”. The sentiment of making a mark on the world is a theme that could be touched on ad nauseam, but the imagery Whitman displays in this line has never left me. As a lover of anything theatrical, the idea that the world could be a stage, and I am simply just a character improvising is a much more whimsical and attractive notion than reality, so I personally will reject the latter! Whitman writes in this poem: “Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,” after posing the reader with the questions somewhere along the lines of “What is the point of it all?” This line illustrates how the speaker can’t help but think about all the foolish people desperately trying to figure out that same question in vain, how people are constantly putting importance onto miniscule things. The speaker seems to look among passersby with disappointment, although he himself is also just trying to figure out life and its importance. The revelation of the poem is simple– life is extraordinary because life is extraordinary. The fact that we are walking around, picking up groceries, stopping to pet a dog, taking out the garbage, is extraordinary. There is something so calming about the simplicity of this poem– the realization that life doesn’t have to be constantly extravagant for it to be unbelievable. Life exists, and that should be enough for us to stop wondering about the why? This poem makes me feel like I’m on fire. On fire in a good way. This poem makes me want to marvel at things and be marveled at equally. This poem hushes boisterous and petty voices, and brings to the forefront a whisper of “It’s gonna be okay.” 

I am so picky when it comes to poetry, as I feel like so much of poetry is not made for me, and I’m egotistical (and human), and only look for things that I can somehow relate back to myself. Poetry in my mind is either life-altering and soul crushing or corny and pseudo-philosophical. That is my curse, as I oftentimes cannot take a poem seriously no matter how much I love the medium. This poem to me is so unserious, which makes it all the more profound. When analyzing this, I find myself relating to the speaker, as he somewhat places himself on a higher pedestal while observing everyone else with annoyance. I think it is so human. The line I see humanity in is: “of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)” I see a person who is commenting on the folly of those around him, just to realize that that judgment does not save himself from the foolishness and ignorance that comes with being human. Acceptance of the fact that we are all fools trying to answer all these questions is the only way to move forward with patience and appreciation for those around us.

Walt Whitman 1819-1892

By Walter Ford

“Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant

When it comes to poetry, there’s this one piece that has always stuck with me, kind of like an old friend I can trust. It’s called “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant. I’m not usually the one to get all deep and philosophical when it comes to reading assignments or poems I have to read in class, but there’s something about this poem that just hits differently. 

Bryant wrote this back in the 1800s. But it’s almost like he’s speaking right to me. “Thanatopsis” is all about life, death, and the beauty of nature, and let me tell you, it’s got me feeling some type of way every time I read it. 

One thing I really like about this poem is how Bryant paints these vivid pictures of nature. He talks about the hills being “Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun.” It’s like he’s taking you on a journey through these timeless landscapes that make you stop and think about your place in the world. 

And then there’s his take on death. Instead of freaking us out about it, Bryant words it in a way where it is all going to be okay. We’re all gonna kick the bucket eventually. But he says it in this way that’s oddly comforting. He talks about how death isn’t the end, but more like returning to nature’s embrace, and I gotta say, it’s a pretty comforting thought. 

On a personal level, “Thanatopsis” has been a real lifesaver for me during tough times. Whenever I’m feeling down or lost, I turn to this poem for a little pick-me-up. It’s like Bryant’s words are giving me sweet words and bringing comfort saying everything will be just fine. 

“Thanatopsis” may be a bit old-school, but it’s got this timeless wisdom that speaks to the human experience in a way that’s real and relatable. It’s like Bryant’s inviting us to slow down, take a look around, and appreciate the beauty of life, even when things get tough. In the end, what makes “Thanatopsis” so special to me is its ability to remind me that we’re all in this together. Life, death, nature. It’s all part of the same ride. And if a poem can make me feel that and realize how lucky I am to be here, I’d say it’s doing something really good. 

Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” might be over a hundred years old, but its message still rings true today. It’s like a timeless guidebook for guiding us through the ups and downs of life, offering comfort in the face of uncertainty. So, the next time you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, take a moment to read some Bryant. Maybe his words will speak to you in ways you never expected like it did to me. 

One can feel transported to those landscapes just by reading his words. His imagery not only captures the physical essence of environments but also suggests a deeper sense of connection to the natural world, reminding us of our place within it. Each line becomes a brushstroke on the canvas of our imagination, painting scenes that resonate with the timeless rhythms of existence. 

Bryant’s perspective on death gives us reassurance on how uncertain life can be. Instead of viewing death as an ending, he views it as a return to the nurturing embrace of nature, suggesting a comforting continuity beyond the physical realm. This perspective encourages us to embrace life fully, knowing that our journey is part of a larger cosmic cycle that transcends individual existence.

Personally, “Thanatopsis” serves as a beacon of solace during times of adversity. Its verses act as a guiding light, illuminating the path through dark moments and reminding me of the enduring resilience of the human spirit. In Bryant’s words, I find not just solace but also strength, a reminder that every challenge is a stepping stone on the journey of self-discovery and growth.

The timeless wisdom written within “Thanatopsis” refers to the universal human experience, going beyond the boundaries of time and culture. Its themes of mortality, nature, and interconnectedness echo with people across generations, offering insights that remain relevant in our modern lives. In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, Bryant’s poem invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the profound beauty of existence. 

Ultimately, “Thanatopsis” reminds us of our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of all life. It serves as evidence to the power of literature to touch hearts, inspire minds, and offer solace in times of need. As we navigate the complexities of existence, Bryant’s timeless words continue to guide us, offering wisdom and comfort to those who seek it.

Nature’s beauty

“A knight on horseback looking for the mythical city”

Eldorado By Edgar Allan Poe
This poem to me is I think just as good as “The Raven” as it goes along the same emotional beats that it was trying to hit. It goes into the greed that humans are capable of and often doom themselves trying to find something abstract like meaning or purpose when you really have to make that your own. The knight in this poem has at one point I believe been all of us humans. We want so desperately to find what we are looking for be it happiness, love, wealth, purpose, meaning. These are all like the mythical city of Eldorado nothing but illusions that we choose to believe because that is what our society is built upon. We see others with it and it only wants us to be apart of it because we as humans are hard-wired to be want to be like other people no matter how much someone tells you that its okay to stick out it still really hurts when you don’t, for me at least. Yet the want to like everyone else could also very well be its own “Eldorado”. Something that doesn’t really exist but gives people purpose in order to deal with the horror of our own existence.

The search for Eldorado is something that might not exist but it does give the knight purpose and hope for tomorrow. Yet in doing so he grows old having never accomplished his dream only when he enters the “Valley of the Shadow” does he find even a clue of what he’s looking for. This could very well be interpreted as the Valley of death in which one can finally find peace from having to keep to continue to work on whatever it is that keeps one going. What we can surmise from the poem is that the knight wanted to find the city for the purpose of becoming wealthy and while that is good for the time it was written, I believe that this way of thinking has fallen out in recent years due to people finding out that American capitalism just isn’t working anymore. It only works for the people who want to keep spreading the myth of Eldorado.

I like this poem because it reminds me that I’m not like the knight in the story even though I used to be. I do not have to keep looking for my own Eldorado because I know that it’s just not worth it. But the sad part is that the rich people of the world want people to be their own knights chasing windmills. They distract us with so many directions to go in search of what we want that its just too much to handle all at once. It’s a maze of unknowns and the shade is of little reprieve. But knowledge of what is real and what is just a mere illusion meant to block your path is the real key to finding out what is your true calling.

I cannot really tell if the shadow is the antagonist or helping the knight when it tells him the directions to Eldorado and to “Ride, boldly ride” It sounds encouraging but at the same time foreboding on what could come next but the poem ends before we are given even a glimpse of what the knight sees. However it does mark me as a sort of positive as he has been lost for so long and has finally been given some direction in his life and that I feel like is something that we could all use at some point in our lives.

Emily Dickinson’s poem I measure every Grief I meet sparked my interest from its title alone. I found it so intriguing how, even in the title, Dickinson chose to capitalize only the words “I” and “Grief,” which gives the idea that she is addressing the emotion of grief as a noun or person. This notion is seen in the poem as she begins to talk about grief as if it were the essence of the people around her. 

After reading the first stanza, I felt connected to how Dickinson scrutinizes other people’s grief and what they may be going through to discern if she’s alone in feeling the way she does. I think everyone, at one time or another, has felt like they were going through the worst thing in the world and that no one could understand. I also love how the word choice within the first stanza furthers the implication that Dickinson is attentive to observing the grief of others and searching for the root cause of their grief to know if it is akin to her own. 

I felt connected to the poem through the stark loneliness that Dickinson also feels and how it adds to her grief. She constantly wonders if the people going about their day feel how she does, and she seems to long for a human connection to know that she isn’t alone in her grief and pain. Growing up, I moved away from where I grew up, and I’ve struggled to make friends since then. I felt and sometimes still feel so alone. Reading Dickinson’s connection to grief and her deep desire to know that other people are feeling grief and pain as well, that even if she is physically alone, she isn’t alone in the pain she feels. 

I love how Dickinson references the different types of grief, how it circumstantially affects people in different ways, and how, despite the differences, the grief itself connects Dickinson to the people around her. It’s almost as if she’s hoping that the grief of others will curb a bit of the loneliness. I felt the way that she addressed the “Grief of Want” and the “Grief of Cold” and painted the two types of grief as the feeling of despair was real to how it feels to want something but know it isn’t for you. I felt like despair was a fantastic way to talk about the deep desire that Dickinson has for her loneliness to be cured. 

I interpreted Dickinson’s grief be one that I feel isn’t always brought to light. It’s the grief of what one so desperately wants but knows they cannot have for one reason or another. Hence there isn’t much else to do but mourn the companionship that Dickinson so deeply wishes for. I remember when I was younger and so desperately wanting to fit in and make friends with the other kids in my class, but I couldn’t seem to say the right thing. After some time I simply gave up, and began to mourn thet friends I never had, and because of this I felt super connected to this line especially. 

Overall I loved this poem, and felt that Dickinson truly encapsulates how grief stricken a person can be from loneliness. I’m not the biggest poetry fan and I often find my head spinning from trying to decode the figurative language that litters the stanzas. However, I felt like I understood exactly what emotions Dickinson was conveying through her work. I haven’t felt connected to as piece of poetry like I have with, I measure every Grief I meet and I’m very interested in reading more of Emily Dickinson’s work.

Longing for companionship, and grieving its loss.

by Ali Shafer

Walt Whitman’s “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” was published in 1865 after the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln. This elegy for Lincoln moves me more than any other poem we’ve covered so far or that I can remember from other classes covering American poetry before 1870. Elegys innately have a kind of nostalgic, bittersweet, if not straight melancholic tone to them. I would like to think I’m an empathetic person, and Whitman did a great job of conveying his heartbreak over the loss of the President and all who died throughout the Civil War. Honestly, for the first few sections of the poem, without the context of the book and the class I would’ve thought it was a poem mourning a lost lover.

I feel for Whitman, Lincoln, all those lost, and those left behind to, as Whitman pointed out, mourn their loss. That being said, I love how Whitman despite free verse was able to make the poem feel more thought out and intentional with the 16 sections mirroring our 16th president who was lost, and the repeat symbols beyond the trinity of the star, lilac, and memory of Lincoln/thrush. Things like cedars and pine, night, the dooryard, comrades, songs, perfume, and the swamp come up repeatedly and ground the poem in sensory imagery and language more than some of his other more stream-of-consciousness works. I love the hopefulness of the poem too, reassuring his audience that those lost are at peace in section 15 and coming back to images of new beginnings like the lilacs and spring.

Whitman, across many of his poems, emphasizes connections and emotions and loss or pleasure because of these ties. I think to many, including myself, it’s reassuring to see someone so vulnerably share their feelings and assert that you aren’t alone in sad experiences or joys.

Like I said, without the context I know, you could read most of the poem and apply it to mourning any loved one. It’s relatable and Whitman asserting that the memory of the lost person comes back might make someone struggling to move past a loss feel validated. Whitman never implies that the recurrence of thought is bad or burdensome (line 3).

He also covers a full range of emotions and varying responses to loss, like stages of grief, considering even in section 2 I think there’s more of an angry or self-pitying tone with the repeated “O” lines. This is compared to the rest of the poem which seems to be more calm and contemplative or neutrally descriptive if not a little sad or hopeful tone-wise. For a different example, I read section 3 as an anchoring section relying on literal vivid imagery of a spring scene, a relief from heavier emotions.

Section 4 also seems to be a cleverly included metaphor (intended or otherwise) of maybe himself as the thrush, since as we discussed from “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking,” bird song and mourning is supposedly what inspired himself or at least his speaker to write. It could be saying after the loss of the Civil War and Lincoln, poetry as an outlet may be the only thing keeping him going or making the pain livable.

The ability to elicit an emotional response from me is the main thing that makes a poem memorable and dear. I think it’s especially impressive if someone is able to make a longer poem stick in the mind of the reader through thoughtful use of creative images and recurring language. Whitman being an interesting character himself also helps his work generally stand out to me, but this is by far my favorite of his poems. Though, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” is another I like a lot for similar reasons in its emphasis on the value of interpersonal relationships. That’s a big part of what makes us human and how we’ve persisted as a species.

In flower symbolism, Lilacs have been thought to represent love, remembrance, and acceptance. All appropriate themes for the content of Whitman’s poem.

By Shannon Walsh

One of my favorite poems written by an American before 1870 is “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” by Walt Whitman. I had heard about and read work by Walt Whitman before this course, but not this particular poem before. After reading and studying it, it has quickly become one of my favorite poems written by an American in the 19th century. I am potentially biased towards this specific poem because of the setting it takes place in. The poem takes place in Brooklyn and I am originally from New York. While I am not from New York City itself, rather about an hour out of it, in the suburbs of Long Island, I have always had a deep love and connection for New York City. Walt Whitman was born in West Hills, Long Island, which is about a half an hour from my hometown. This fact alone gives credit to the poet for me and helps me feel a connection towards him. 

The subject he is writing about feels very real to me. He is describing the journey the Brooklyn ferry takes from Manhattan to Brooklyn and relates that closing of a physical gap to the closing of the gap between the poet and the reader. The poem reads more like a story to me, and it follows the journey of a man who is taking the ferry home after the completion of a long work day. The images are so clear to me and I love how the poem surrounds the idea of the interconnectedness between humans. The man is curious about the souls around him, and we learn this by the line, “Crowds of men and women attired in the usual costumes, how curious you are to me!” The idea that we are all curious about the strangers around us; about their lives, experiences, memories, personalities, etc. is prevalent throughout the poem. As humans, we share the common experience of life. It is so beautiful and touching to me. I feel as though all humans have a deep desire to connect with one another. Even after a long work day, he is surrounded by the sounds and sights of so many different souls around him and he is beautifully curious about them. 

I also appreciated how the idea of time is played upon and I understood another theme of the poem to be the timeless beauty of life. Section 3 begins with, “It avails not, time nor place—distance avails not/I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence/ 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.” These lines show how no time, distance, nor place can disconnect him from people in the past and present; those who have existed before him and those who will exist after him.

I often feel overwhelmed by life in general. By the passage of time, by emotions, by memory, by experiences, etc. Life is a difficult, yet beautiful concept that we constantly try to understand and make sense of. I like how Whitman uses the natural world to ground his message. He includes descriptions of the natural world, including the river, the sky, and the passing ships. These images serve as metaphors for the cyclical nature of existence.

In terms of form, I liked how the poem was written in free verse. I resonate with poems written in this style more because it feels similar to my own way of thinking. Even though it is separated into sections, the one single idea and stream of consciousness feels like a natural way to think and write to me. The picture below depicts the Brooklyn Ferry in 1890. 

This picture was taken in July of 1890 and published by The Library of Congress. The picture depicts the Fulton Ferry Boat in Brooklyn, New York.