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Mocking bird Quote by Walt Whitman

“Out of the cradle endlessly rocking, Out of the mocking-bird’s throat, the musical shuttle, Out of the Ninth-month midnight, Over the sterile sands, and the fields beyond, where the child, leaving his bed, wander’d alone, bare-headed, barefoot, Down from the shower’d halo, Up from the mystic play…” quote by Walt Whitman
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““Out of the cradle endlessly rocking, Out of the mocking-bird’s throat, the musical shuttle, Out of the Ninth-month midnight, Over the sterile sands, and the fields beyond, where the child, leaving his bed, wander’d alone, bare-headed, barefoot, Down from the shower’d halo, Up from the mystic play of shadows, twining and twisting as if they were alive, Out from the patches of briers and blackberries, From the memories of the bird that chanted to me, From your memories, sad brother—from the fitful risings and fallings I heard, From under that yellow half-moon, late-risen, and swollen as if with tears, From those beginning notes of sickness and love, there in the transparent mist, From the thousand responses of my heart, never to cease, From the myriad thence-arous’d words, From the word stronger and more delicious than any, From such, as now they start, the scene revisiting, As a flock, twittering, rising, or overhead passing, Borne hither—ere all eludes me, hurriedly, A man—yet by these tears a little boy again, Throwing myself on the sand, confronting the waves, I, chanter of pains and joys, uniter of here and hereafter, Taking all hints to use them—but swiftly leaping beyond them, A reminiscence sing. ””

Walt Whitman

About This Quote

Source Poem: Leaves of Grass, 1855

The poem weaves vivid natural imagery with existential longing, exploring memory, loss, and the search for meaning amid life's turbulence.

In simple terms: Nature reflects inner turmoil and hope.

Key Takeaway

Embrace life's chaos as a source of insight.

Themes

nature memory existence longing

Mood

contemplative poetic

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal journaling
  • creative writing
  • meditation

Key Concepts

transcendentalism romanticism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What personal memories does the imagery evoke?
  • How does nature mirror your inner state?
A Different Perspective

The dense language can obscure clarity.

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