I Begin by Invoking Walt Whitman

Name: I Begin by Invoking Walt Whitman
Author: Pablo Neruda

The poem is a tribute to Walt Whitman, celebrating his life and work. It explores the connection between the poet's own experiences and the universal human emotions he expressed in his poetry. The speaker reflects on how Whitman's poetry has influenced their own perspective on life, love, and death. Through this reflection, the poem becomes an exploration of the self, identity, and the power of art to transcend time and mortality.

By Pablo Neruda · First published 1954 · Genre: Political Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry · 156 words

First lines

Because I love my country

I claim you, essential brother, old Walt Whitman with your gray hands, so that, with your special help line by line, we will tear out by the roots and destroy this bloodthirsty President Nixon.

There can be no happy man on earth, no one can work well on this planet while that nose continues to breathe in Washington.

Asking the old bard to confer with me

What this Textopian page supports

I Begin by Invoking Walt Whitman is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1954 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Pablo Neruda
Date: 1954 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry, Contemporary Poetry, Homage
Length: 156 words
Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Political Poetry — The poem directly addresses political themes, criticizing President Nixon and engaging with social justice issues.
Social Commentary — The work reflects on societal issues and the impact of political leadership on the populace.
Lyric Poetry — The personal and emotional tone aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry, expressing deep feelings and thoughts.
Contemporary Poetry — The style and themes are reflective of contemporary poetic movements, engaging with modern political discourse.