I enjoyed your post here and your thoughts on the poem. I am reading a biography on Thoreau and learned that this poem was one that Th. liked particularly after first reading Leaves of Grass. I read it -- aloud -- I agree it is beautiful when read aloud and loved it. But, was puzzled by the very last stanza, especially the "Dumb, beautiful ministers". I think it makes sense now that I've read your post. These ministers are the forces of nature and I'm guessing they are "dumb" in the sense that they don't speak directly using words. Reading it all through again it feels a lot more cohesive.
I enjoyed your post here and your thoughts on the poem. I am reading a biography on Thoreau and learned that this poem was one that Th. liked particularly after first reading Leaves of Grass. I read it -- aloud -- I agree it is beautiful when read aloud and loved it. But, was puzzled by the very last stanza, especially the "Dumb, beautiful ministers". I think it makes sense now that I've read your post. These ministers are the forces of nature and I'm guessing they are "dumb" in the sense that they don't speak directly using words. Reading it all through again it feels a lot more cohesive.
Thank you for reading About Alexandria, and for taking the time to post such a thoughtful comment.
Interesting post!