Poet’s Corner I Hear the
Mr. Walt Whitman, I hear the song you are singing.
The songs you heard were sung by those of the working class,
like yourself
Those of the carpenter, the deckhand, and the mason.
You passed the shoemaker sitting on his bench and the
hatter as he stood.
These were the faces you saw daily.
The people that built America, the songs of which you were proud.
Mr. Walt Whitman, I do not rebuke you.
I simple regret that you did not have the chance to hear
the songs I hear today.
You never had the chance to hear women,
As they broke glass ceilings by joining a workforce that
was once owned by men.
You lived through the Civil War,
Yet didn’t have the opportunity to hear an African American
speak of his dream
Although I can’t speak for you,
I’m sure if you could have seen America through my eyes,
Your original poem would have been more inclusive.
I’m sure you would have been proud to write about the new
American voices that have been given their chance to sing.
For more than two decades, the Georgia
Language Arts Supervisors (GLAS) and the
Georgia RESA Network with support from the
Georgia Department of Education, have sponsored
the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition.
This annual event encourages students “to develop
enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing,
to provide a context to celebrate their writing
successes, and to recognize student achievement
in arts and academics.” It is open to any student
currently enrolled in Georgia public schools,
grades K-12.
Because we at Toombs County Magazine
always celebrate art, writing, photography and all
things creative, we’ve selected the following poem
from the Toombs County High School 2017 Young
Georgia Authors entries for your enjoyment.
This work is by Brooke Morris, daughter of
Melinda and Rodney Morris of Lyons. The poem
was written in response to I Hear America Singing
by Walt Whitman, a poem that describes various
“songs” that arise from different working class
figures in the early American landscape. The poem
offers a sense of joy, hope and American pride by
showcasing ordinary, hard-working Americans
as true champions of society. Brooke says of her
poetic response, “Since the time he wrote it, he
has received multiple responses questioning why
he did not mention specific groups of people.
However, in my response I did not question him,
but I sided with him since at the time these voices
had not yet been given their rights.” TCM
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At the Altama Kitchen Sink Studio
114 Toombs County Magazine
Song that You
are Singing
by Brook Morris WALT WHITMAN
The Creative Spirit
The Altama Museum of
Art & History and the Filipino
community of Vidalia are very
proud to inform you of an
upcoming exhibition entitled
“Filipina: Bearers of Light.”
Master photographer and Filipino-
American artist Dominique
James will exhibit his large-scale
photographic portrait prints in
canvas, showcased for the first
time at the Meadows Gallery, from
February 16 to March 30, 2018.
This special 45-day gallery
exhibition aims to honor twenty
accomplished and influential
Filipino women who are long-time
residents of Vidalia and nearby
cities from within Georgia’s
Magnolia Midlands.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Youth Art Lessons
GRADES 13
Saturdays 10 am - 12 pm
Saturdays 1 pm - 3 pm
Cost $45/session
$20 registration
Call 537-1911 for more information.
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