Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Calvin Forbes's poem "Reading Walt Whitman" delves into the transformative journey of a poet influenced by the monumental figures of Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes. Through evocative imagery and a narrative of personal evolution, Forbes explores how these iconic poets shape his own voice and poetic identity.

The poem opens with a striking image: "I found his wool face, I went away / A crook; there were lines I followed / When his song like a whistle led me." The phrase "wool face" suggests a certain roughness or rawness in Walt Whitman's persona, perhaps reflecting the naturalistic and expansive style of his poetry. Describing himself as a "crook" after encountering Whitman implies that Forbes felt he had stolen something valuable and transformative from Whitman's work—perhaps a style, a technique, or an inspiration. The "song like a whistle" symbolizes Whitman's poetic voice, leading and guiding Forbes in his own literary journey.

The next stanza shifts to a reflection on the poet's own words: "Daily my wooden words fell, a parade / Of sticks, a broom bent over a thief's / Head." Here, "wooden words" conveys a sense of rigidity or lack of finesse in his early work, an image amplified by the comparison to "a parade / Of sticks." The "broom bent over a thief's head" continues the theme of thievery introduced earlier, perhaps suggesting a sense of guilt or inadequacy as he develops his craft.

Langston Hughes's influence is introduced as a pivotal moment in Forbes's poetic development: "But then along came Langston / The proper shepherd who sat on history / Missing our music, dividing me; after / His death I rewrote, I robbed, and hid." Hughes is portrayed as a "proper shepherd," a guide and leader who helps Forbes navigate through his own poetic voice and identity. The line "sat on history" might imply that Hughes was both influenced by and an influencer of historical events and cultural currents, particularly those relating to African American experiences and jazz rhythms ("Missing our music"). Forbes describes how Hughes's death marked a significant moment, leading him to "rewrote, I robbed, and hid," indicating a phase of introspection and transformation in his work, influenced by his contemplation and assimilation of Hughes's legacy.

The final lines reveal a resolution or acceptance of his evolved voice: "In a foxhole until my lines were wood / On top, and soft underneath the bark. / Good Langston sat too long to lift me." The metaphor of hiding "in a foxhole" suggests a period of deep personal and artistic struggle. Describing his matured lines as "wood / On top, and soft underneath the bark" evokes a sense of resilience and depth—his poetry robust yet nuanced. The closing line, "Good Langston sat too long to lift me," may express a realization that Hughes, while a profound influence, could not ultimately define Forbes's poetic voice. This line acknowledges the necessity for Forbes to rise on his own terms, informed but not confined by his predecessors.

"Reading Walt Whitman" is a reflection on the formative impact of literary forebears on a poet's work. Forbes uses the imagery of thievery and transformation to discuss the complex process of developing a unique literary voice while navigating the influences of prominent figures like Whitman and Hughes. This poem invites readers to consider the dynamic interplay of inspiration, influence, and individual creativity in the literary arts.

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