Walt Whitman is one of the greatest poets who make people take notice of all wonders of the world. In his poem “This Compost” Whitman reveals the miracle of renovation of nature which is taken for granted by most of people. Moreover, this optimistic work gives hope to all those who fail to believe in the future of humanity on the Earth.
In the first place, it is important to point out that Whitman considers issues which are ignored by many. Even the poet himself admits that he did not pay attention to one of the most startling miracles of nature: “Something startles me where I thought I was safest” (Whitman 512).
Nonetheless, his unique perception of reality draws his attention to a great puzzle – nature regeneration. Many people do not even think of the paradox – many rotten substances (like dead plants or carcasses of animals and human corpses) go into the Earth, but instead of total contamination and decay of the planet there is flourishing of newborn organisms. Only few people admit that it is a great wonder.
Perhaps, humanity is accustomed to such a phenomenon as filter. People simply think of the scientific part of the issue. Whitman who has the sixth sense notices the wonder in it and exclaims: “What chemistry!” (513). His poem which reveals the mystery and beauty of renovation of the Earth makes people cherish their planet.
Apart from this Whitman gives hope to those who think that humanity has no future. He describes terrifying things noting that millions of dead and thick organisms are “swallowed” by the earth. Whitman expresses an idea, shared by many, that the earth should be contaminated by various illnesses.
Surprisingly, it is “clean forever and forever” (Whitman 514). The poet praises mysterious ability of the earth to regenerate and give new life. He is very optimistic stating that the earth absorbs sickness and transforms it into the background for new organisms to come.
In the end of the poem the reader becomes sure that there is nothing to be afraid of – the planet will regenerate. Of course, at this point it is essential to note that Whitman does not promulgate the following idea: people can pollute the planet (with various wastes and emissions) as it will renovate anyway.
The poet only depicts the natural cycle when some organisms fade away and new ones come into existence. The earth can filter this natural “contamination”: sickness of dead organisms. This ability of the earth should be praised.
Unfortunately, people forget about that miracle and do not stop exhausting the planet. Hopefully, Whitman’s poem can make people think and stop their unreasonable actions.
On balance, “This Compost” is one of those poems which can change the world. In the first place, the poet makes people notice the miraculous nature of the process which is usually taken for granted. On the other hand, the poem gives hope to those who are afraid of the future.
Whitman states that the earth regenerates. It can turn illness into a new life. There can be no decay on the Earth, so humanity has the future. Of course, the poem still makes people think of those unreasonable actions which pollute the planet. Praising regeneration of the planet Whitman’s poem makes people understand that natural cycle will not work when it deals with pollution.
Work Cited
Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass: First and “Death-Bed” Editions. Ed. Karen Karbiener. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2004.