Michael Gold’s Ode to Walt Whitman is at its most basic an explanation of how Whitman’s dreams for America have yet to come to fruition. Gold uses several stylistic elements in order to evoke Whitman within his ode. Formally, the numbered segments within the poem reference many of Whitman’s longer poems. While Gold uses shorter lines than typical of Whitman there is still a breathiness to the lines accentuated by the lack of punctuation between lines other than dashes. There is also a large amount of repetition within the poem that reflects Whitman’s typical writing style. Gold also uses several Whitmanian phrases like “O Pioneers” throughout the poem.
In response to reading poems like A Boston Ballad and To the States, I find the version of America in Gold’s poem to be heartbreaking. Although both poets point to faults within America there seems to be much more hope in Whitman’s “love to look on Stars and Stripes” than Gold’s “Nothing to love but Coney Island.” However, Gold does end his poem on a high note saying that “Walt Whitman’s America Aches, to be born–” so while America may fall short of the expectations of the poet there is still a chance that America will rise to what they wish for. Until then Whitman’s idealistic dreams of America will provide poetic fuel for frustrated and disappointed American poets.
I am also surprised by how much like a jaded Ginsberg Gold can sound. That line — “how did I mistake you for the sun” — seems particularly in this vein of poets who not only mourn the loss of Whitman’s ideal dream of American, but who seem to criticize him for his naive nature. Often, such poets seem blind to the level of negativity and critique already there in Whitman, creating instead a sort of false naive personal to balance against their evolving degraded present. It’s a powerful trope, but a bit short-sighted!