A review of Walt Whitman's "Live Oak, with Moss"

        Walt Whitman's Live Oak, With Moss , is an intricate portrayal of love, both physical and mental. Throughout the poem, Whitman incorporates an array of metaphors symbolic of love and the many characteristics associated with love. Dissimilar to mainstream poetry, Whitman introduces a friend-lover relationship between two men, describing the pain and happiness associated with their love.         Throughout Live Oak, With Moss, Whitman illustrates the great pleasure associated with love. Introducing his love as a consuming …

…the author. Additionally, Whitman suggests that in order to truly understand and appreciate poetry, one must both understand and appreciate the poet.         Towards completion of the poem, Whitman moves steadily closer to his goal of happiness. Disclosing a new and positive attitude, Whitman proceeds to establish himself as a teacher of love. One who didn't learn early on, but through knowledge and time was blessed with the happiness that can only be attributed to love.