Animals by WALT WHITMAN

Animals by WALT WHITMAN

Stanza 1

I think I could turn and live with animals,

they are so placid and self-contain’d,

I stand and look at them long and long.

Meaning: 1. Turn: change 2. Placid: peaceful self-contained: self reliant

Explanation: Walt Whitman wishes that he should be turned into an animal and start living with animals. In his opinion, the animals are peaceful and independent. The poet loves them very much. So he stands and looks at them for a long time.

Stanza 2

They do not sweat and whine about their condition,

They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,

They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,

Explanation: The poet now continues to explain the reason for his choice. He says that the animals never complain about their condition. They are contented in both good and bad conditions. They sleep peacefully and do not lie awake and shed tears at night on their sins as human beings do. They do not talk like human beings and make him feel bored by discussing with him about their duty towards God.