Song at Sunset
By Walt Whitman
(May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892)
“Splendor of ended day, floating and filling me! Hour prophetic-hour resuming the past! Inflating my throat, you, divine average! You, Earth and Life, till the last ray gleams, I sing.”
Choosing Cheerfulness: American poet Walt Whitman’s Song at Sunset remains celebrated and studied today.
I acknowledge that any compliment or summary statement I share about Walt Whitman will be insufficient to convey accurately his genius or impact.
| Sensory details, such as those a poet might use, enliven reader experiences. |
In Whitman’s Words of Thankfulness, he shows his overwhelming gratitude through poetry.
Whitman’s words bring to life time-captured images of a day, a life, well spent in appreciation. We get the sense he notices all and understands the brevity of life’s interludes.
“The people, scenery, ideas, sensory details, laughter, joy, sorrow, or pride from overcoming a difficult task, fill Whitman with contentment. Writers create text that entertains and empowers readers.”
An interpretation of Whitman’s work is that he might believe each day, life, or second should be spent in appreciation, whether you’re a 19th-century poet or a 21st-century mystery writer.
Neuroscience:
Writers Implant Memories into Readers’ Minds
Writers can develop transferable skills that enhance every aspect of daily living, including other disciplines of the writing craft.
While it’s impossible to make a sweeping generalization for any group, it is still true that all writers create on paper (read screen, notebook, or napkin) words that implant images in another’s mind.
| “Writers activate readers’ neural brain circuits, converting text to images, tears to insight, and humor to wholeness.” “Writers artfully turn phrases to convert the improbable into possible.” “A writer’s impact is measured by the empowerment of their readers.” |
Novelists empower others through emotional growth and inspiration.
Poets empower others through fresh perspectives in our common struggles.
Short Story Writers empower others through bursts of energized inspiration.
Lyricists empower others through soulful storytelling.
Screenwriters empower others through suspended reality and hope.
Editors empower others through enhancing self-esteem.
Researchers empower others through education and foresight.
Historians empower others through reflection and application.
Columnists empower others through staying grounded and relevant.
Journalists empower others through being situationally aware.
Technical Writers empower others through practical applications.
Science Writers empower others through education and wonder.
19th-century author Walt Whitman continues to inspire and empower others through the written language expression of poetry.
We acknowledge with a respectful nod to author Otto Penzler, who shares many 19th-century mysteries we can enjoy today.
Title: The Big Book of Victorian Mysteries
Author: Otto Penzler
Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard (2021)
Genre: Mysteries
