When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer, by Walt Whitman

I have always loved this poem by Walt Whitman. Even in those days of my youth, when I didn't think I liked him much, this one appealed to me. I am a star gazer, and a moon watcher, like Walt before me. Sure, the planatarium is cool to visit, but there is nothing like a night on a dark Pennsyvania hill top watching the lights of the heavens above. It is also a good time for watching deer and owls and the shadows of trees.

The paintings are courtesy of a dear friend of mine, Michael McFarland, who also is a lover of nature and the bodies of the heavens. This talented young man has recently had one of his paintings purchased by the Pennsylvania State Museum, and has recently been accepted into Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors. He has given me permission to use these paintings as well as some others in the near future for a production of two of my own moon poems. If you are interested in seeing more or purchasing one of his works, you can contact Michael through his website at mcfarlandart.com

Walt Whitman (1819--1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900.

180. When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer


WHEN I heard the learn'd astronomer;
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me;
When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them;
When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room,
How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick;




Till rising and gliding out, I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

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[mnolanporter]

If your teacher is boring you, walk our of class!!!!

[sonofwalt]

@mnolanporter haha, agreed. I even did that once. lol

[sonofwalt]

Sorry, peoples, I had to do some editing. It's back now.

[wbarreguy]

Positively exquisite.