A Machiasport Fourth

I Hear America Singing

by Walt Whitman (from Leaves of Grass, 1900)


I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear;
Those of mechanics each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;
The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work;
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck;
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench?the hatter singing as he stands;
The wood-cutter's song the ploughboy's, on his way in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or at sundown;
The delicious singing of the mother or of the young wife at work or of the girl sewing or washing
Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else;
The day what belongs to the day
At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.


I was up at 5:15 this morning, taking photographs, bathed in morning sunlight, surrounded by singing birds. Full tide on the glistening river with the beautiful Machias Bay and Round Island in the distance. This peaceful scene is the site of the first Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War. Today is our Independence Day, so I suppose it merits a mention. Both sides of my family fought for the cause, here and in Massachusetts. I've included a link for those inclined to know more of that fateful day on this lovely Bay.


Revolutionary War History

Just after sunrise

Morning on the Machias River