Sections 18-25 Summary

Whitman begins "Birds of Passage" with a poem titled "Song of the Universal." In this poem, a muse beckons Whitman to sing a song that has never been sung before, one that is universal. The song should encompass everything on the earth from the soul to science. No matter how many advancements science has made, the soul shall always supersede it. There are many opposites in the world from the blessed and happy to the downtrodden and disease. There is laughter and tears, faith and doubt, happy as well as broken hearts.

There are many tributes to pioneers and their adventures while traversing untamed country from East Coast to West Coast. In "Pioneers! O Pioneers!" Whitman pays homage to the youthful pioneers who are expected to defend and forge ahead despite their young age. There will be danger which is caused...