“As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life” is a poem by Walt Whitman, published in his collection “Leaves of Grass” in 1891. The poem is written in free verse, without a regular rhyme scheme or meter, and is divided into five sections.
In the poem, Whitman reflects on the nature of life and the passage of time. He compares human life to the ebb and flow of the ocean, with its highs and lows, its calm and stormy periods. He contemplates the cycles of birth, growth, and death that all living beings go through, and the inevitable aging and decay that come with the passage of time.
Despite the inevitability of these processes, Whitman celebrates the vitality and resilience of life. He finds beauty in the changing seasons, the cycles of the natural world, and the endless possibilities of human experience. He also acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things, seeing himself as part of a larger cosmic whole.
Overall, “As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life” is a deeply contemplative and philosophical poem that explores some of the fundamental questions of human existence. Through its vivid imagery and lyrical language, it invites readers to reflect on their own place in the world and the meaning and purpose of their lives.
