Author: Walt Whitman Source: Miracles.

WHY! who makes much of a miracle? Meaning: The speaker questions why people make a big deal about miracles.

As to me, I know of nothing else but miracles, Meaning: He says everything he experiences is a miracle.

Meaning: The speaker questions why people make a big deal about miracles.

Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Meaning: Walking the streets of Manhattan is a miracle.

Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky, Meaning: Looking up at the sky from rooftops is a miracle.

Or wade with naked feet along the beach, just in the edge of the water, Meaning: Wading at the water's edge is a miracle.

Or stand under trees in the woods, Meaning: Standing under trees in the woods is a miracle.

Or talk by day with any one I love—or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Meaning: Talking or sleeping with a loved one is a miracle.

Or sit at table at dinner with my mother, Meaning: Sitting at dinner with his mother is a miracle.

Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car, Meaning: Looking at strangers on a train is a miracle.

Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive, of a summer forenoon, Meaning: Watching bees around a hive is a miracle.

Or animals feeding in the fields, Meaning: Animals feeding in fields are miracles.

Or birds—or the wonderfulness of insects in the air, Meaning: Birds and insects in the air are miracles.

Or the wonderfulness of the sun-down—or of stars shining so quiet and bright, Meaning: Sunset and stars shining are miracles.

Or the exquisite, delicate, thin curve of the new moon in spring; Meaning: The curve of the new moon is a miracle.

Or whether I go among those I like best, and that like me best—mechanics, boatmen, Meaning: Being with friends like mechanics and boatmen is a miracle.

farmers, Meaning: (Continuation of previous line)

Or among the savans—or to the soiree—or to the opera, Meaning: Being with scholars or at social events is a miracle.

Or stand a long while looking at the movements of machinery, Meaning: Watching machinery move is a miracle.

Or behold children at their sports, Meaning: Watching children play is a miracle.

Or the admirable sight of the perfect old man, or the perfect old woman, Meaning: Seeing a perfect old man or woman is a miracle.

Or the sick in hospitals, or the dead carried to burial, Meaning: The sick in hospitals and the dead are miracles.

Or my own eyes and figure in the glass; Meaning: His own reflection in a mirror is a miracle.

These, with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles, Meaning: All these things are miracles to him.

The whole referring—yet each distinct, and in its place. Meaning: Each is distinct yet connected.

To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Meaning: Every hour of day and night is a miracle.

Every cubic inch of space is a miracle, Meaning: Every tiny space is a miracle.

Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same, Meaning: Every patch of earth is full of miracles.

Every foot of the interior swarms with the same; Meaning: Every part of the earth's interior is full of miracles.

Every spear of grass—the frames, limbs, organs, of men and women, and all that Meaning: Every blade of grass and human body is a miracle.

concerns Meaning: (Continuation of previous line)

them, Meaning: (Continuation of previous line)

All these to me are unspeakably perfect miracles. Meaning: All these are indescribably perfect miracles.

To me the sea is a continual miracle; Meaning: The sea is a constant miracle.

The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the ships, with men Meaning: Fish, rocks, waves, and ships with people are miracles.

in Meaning: (Continuation of previous line)

them, Meaning: (Continuation of previous line)

What stranger miracles are there? Meaning: There are no stranger miracles than these.