Whitman-Inspired Uplifting Poetry, old or new
As some nations struggle with government corruption and upheaval, this is a good time to raise people’s spirits with poetry that praises freedom and lifts our spirits.
In his poem “I Hear America Singing,” Walt Whitman displays the ideals of patriotism, pride, and love of everything that makes a nation great.
Please write a “free-verse ode,” using Whitman’s poem as your inspiration. The ode form can vary, but I would like entries to be free verse like Whitman’s.
Please make no mention of President Trump or the impeachment out of respect for Soupers on both sides of the political aisle. Entries should be 14 lines or fewer, but I'm okay with one or two extra lines if the poem is well developed. (Whitman’s is 11 lines, but I prefer shorter lines than his in this poem.) The most inspiring, uplifting poems will place highest and there should be many winners.
Write about your own country and take a creative approach. You can address your nation's natural beauty, its praiseworthy leadership or the strength of the people who live there (as Whitman did). Your poem does not need to be new or dated and it can be a rewrite of a poem you wrote in another form. Show your patriotism!
Take your time and inspire us. No need to put the contest name on your entry.
“I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.