W. J. O'Reardon to Walt Whitman, 1 June 1889
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New York.1
345 East 17th
Street.
June 1/89.
Walt Whitman, Esq.
Esteemed Sir:
I send you greeting, in the enclosed lines, on the advent of your birthday, and beg to subscribe myself very sincerely yours.
W. J. O'Reardon.
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Greeting.
The onward march of Time finds thee serene. Thy sturdy soul is still aspiring high: And on the mountain top where fame abides Thou hast long stood, respected and revered. Upon thy brow the light of genius shone: New paths in Poesy's mysterious meads Were trod by thee with vigorous step and share And with the light that beams in beauty's eye. Thy fervid thoughts were born to sweetly bloom, And bring a solace to the human heart. That striving to be free beholds in thee A grand embodiment of manly virtues. The wish is mine that many be thy years, From many of the ills of life entire bereft— Soft sunshine in thy heart find a large place. And Health each day its mystic mantle spread Before thy vision, like a crystal sea, Whose power renews the glory of thy youth. W. J. O'Reardon.
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Correspondent:
Very little is known about
W. J. O'Reardon. He published at least one poem titled "Man"—a humorous
meditation on human nature—that was reprinted in several newspapers in the
late 1880s. He sent the verses enclosed with this letter to Whitman at the time
of the poet's seventieth birthday. Horace Traubel referred to O'Reardon as "a
New Yorker" and noted that Whitman kept O'Reardon's "greeting," since it was
still "intact" as late as December 13, 1889 (Traubel, With
Walt Whitman in Camden, Friday, December 13, 1889).
Notes
- 1. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman, Esq | Camden, | New Jersey. It is postmarked: New York | Jun 1| 830PM | D; Camden, NJ | Jun[illegible] | 1pm | 1889 | Rec'd | NY | 6-1-89 | [illegible]pm | [illegible] [back]