Whitman Takes on Cross Country

If a cross country runner and Walt Whitman were to meet, they would not struggle to find that they have common beliefs and priorities. In Whitman’s cantos of “Song of Myself,” there are traits that can also be found in the sport of cross country. Both are characterized by freedom, difference, and unity. These aspects bridge the apparent divide between running and Whitman’s poetry.

Freedom is demonstrated in unstructured races for cross country and Whitman’s writing. Whitman exercises his right to freedom as he wrote about topics that were taboo during the 1800s. In Canto 11 of “Song of Myself,” Whitman describes, “An unseen hand also pass’d over their bodies,/ It descended tremblingly from their temples and ribs” (Whitman 11). A description of the woman’s sexuality is incorporated as she watches twenty-eight men bathing. In this case, Whitman is writing about a topic previously shamed and unspoken; he is shocking his readers and, at times, upsetting them. He is free to evoke emotion as he desires and creates imagery that is powerful. While other poets follow a formula or write in a consistent manner, Whitman also utilizes freedom as he writes free-verse poetry. He presents his poetry case-by-case based on the message that he wants to send and the impact he wants it to have. By doing so, Whitman relates to a runner whose race strategy varies according to his goal. Cross country is also one of the most free sports because it is without a referee; thus, it is difficult to enforce rules. Also, runners’ performances cannot impact others. When the gun starts the race, runners are free to manage their race in any way that they choose, especially because coaches cannot substitute their athletes in reaction to poor pacing or exhaustion. Not only do cross country runners have the option to choose their own method of racing, but they are required to do so. In addition to freedom in races, there is no uniform training plan for all cross country runners. While each team has set days for certain workouts, individuals and coaches have the freedom to adjust workouts based on what will benefit the athlete the most. More so, cross country runners each have their own goal. Some run to win races; others run to place well. On occasion, runners will run races purely to pace a slower runner or, contrarily, as a “rabbit” who goes out fast to tire out a top runner on another team in a competitive, strategic race. In this way, runners’ training and race strategy is laden with freedom. Both are trying to accomplish something, and freedom is instrumental in allowing them to do so effectively. Additionally, freedom is found in the lack of directions and rules given to cross country runners, and it is also found in Whitman’s poetry as he freely explores risky topics and writes in varied forms. Whitman and cross country seize freedom in ways that are more than effective; they also experience harsh critiques.

Both cross country as a sport and Whitman’s poetry face criticism. Especially at the time when Whitman's poetry was first released, he faced adversity. He freely wrote about taboo topics, but not without facing judgment. Whitman’s use of imagery to explore sexuality was criticized, but he also wrote with honesty and rawness, such as in canto eight of “Song of Myself;” “The suicide sprawls on the bloody floor of the bedroom,/ I witness the corpse with its dabbled hair,/ I note where the pistol has fallen” (Whitman 8). Whitman does not romanticize suicide; he portrays it plainly and truthfully. He is not scared to speak on topics ranging from sexuality to suicide. Whitman’s poetry is unsettling, especially in the past when his topics were typically private and uncomfortable. Cross country is different from other sports, so it is often criticized for being an unenjoyable sport. Running is painful, especially when improvement is the goal. This pain cannot be lulled with a team to fall-back on; it is not eased by substitutions or time-outs. Running is a sport that seems unreasonable to some spectators. Whitman’s poetry benefits from the risks he takes writing about taboo topics; similarly, cross country runners gain strength by enduring the pain of a hard workout. Whitman's raw writing leaves readers unsettled as cross country confuses spectators shock outsiders of the painful sport, and the two are joined by this commonality. Running and poetry share another similarity because

Whitman seeks to be united with his readers as cross country runners seek unity throughout their team. Although Whitman wrote “Song of Myself” in admiration of himself, he expressed value for others as well. In the first lines of the poem, he states, “I celebrate myself, and sing myself,/ And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you” (Whitman 1). Whitman is celebrating himself, but he notes his equality with his audience; therefore, he celebrates readers as well. This is an important part of his poetry because it provides a sense of connection between the reader’s reality and the writer’s fantasy. Unity improves both Whitman’s poetry as well as cross country teams. Running is made easier by teammates’ encouragement and advice. Most athletes begin cross country at the beginning of high school, and they only have four years to figure out what works best for them in terms of ritual and routine. While this is unfortunately best discovered by trial and error, it is imperative that veteran runners share their experiences and advise beginning runners in order to help them navigate a rigorous and potentially frustrating sport. Runners have to be selfless individuals because though helping young runners might impede their placement on a team, it is important to help others excel for the benefit of the team. In the end, a runner does not win a race; a team wins a race. It takes five runners to have a score, so running is an individual experience, but cross country is a team sport. A successful team needs unity in order to encourage each other, implement tactics to defeat others, and survive the well-known mental struggle of racing. Undoubtedly, cross country cannot be a sport without unity, and Whitman’s poetry would not serve the same purpose without connecting to its readers.

Poetry and sports as general topics are not related on the surface. Nonetheless, it is clear that cross country and Whitman’s poetry are not as unrelated as they seem to be. Whitman’s poetry and cross country both emphasize freedom, face criticism, and depend on unity. They are connected by these three defining traits.