Whitman's Grave

Whitman's grave is just a short ride from his house, so we made the drive over. (This was especially challenging since David was both in pain--from that knee of his--and hungry. Hungry David=Easily Annoyed David.) But we went anyway. After all, since when do we give in to Easily Annoyed David?


The family tomb.


Some of the name plates inside, including Walt, his parents, and some of his siblings.


Close up of Walt's nameplate.


A marker with an American flag next to it. I wish I had gotten the whole flag in the picture because it is a great reminder that Whitman spent so many hours visiting with wounded and dying soldiers during the Civil War. Today when I teach Whitman (especially to non-majors in the gen. ed. survey class), so many students act as if he is some crazy liberal outsider. The more close-minded among them turn off any sense of appreciation or understanding when they hear about his sexuality. But here his grave is marked with military symbols--a clear reminder of how much he embodied, loved, and served America.


Finally, I was especially moved by this simple hyacinth that someone had left by the grave. A lovely touch of spring on a rainy Saturday--and the day before Easter.