My dear brother, I've posted this poem for us to discuss a little bit about American History.

Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, journalist, and humanist. He was a part of the transition between Transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.

Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War in addition to publishing his poetry. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, Franklin Evans (1842). Whitman's major work, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892. After a stroke towards the end of his life, he moved to Camden, New Jersey where his health further declined. He died at age 72 and his funeral became a public spectacle.

Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though he is usually labeled as either homosexual or bisexual, it is unclear if Whitman ever had a sexual relationship with another man[5] and biographers continue to debate his sexuality. Whitman was concerned with politics throughout his life. He supported the Wilmot Proviso and opposed the extension of slavery generally, but did not believe in the abolitionist movement.


1

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart! 5
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

2

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills; 10
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck, 15
You’ve fallen cold and dead.

3

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; 20
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

These are some moments of our great holiday... We had never done anything like that!

FCE Coursebook
Text reproduction exercise - page 12.

Last month, actress Stella Glass (picture) gave birth to her second child - yet now she is back on screen and looks more attractive than ever. Many people have been wondering about her secret and how she has got back her near perfect figure so quickly. She claims that the secret is a mixture of diet and exercise. 'I have never been smoking and I have been going to the gym regularly for years. To loose weight I have been having five portions os fresh fruit and vegetables every day and I have been eating popcorn as it is low in calories. Recently I have also been drinking a lot of mineral water. My appearance has always been important to me - I have always wanted to look my best.

Present Perfect simple vs. Present Perfect Progressive

Present perfect simple - Something happened in the past, but you don't know exactly when (it doesn't matter!!)

Present perfect progressive / continuous - Something started in the past and is still happening or you can see the effects.



YOUR DOUBT

IT = empty subject.

Ex. It is raining today.

It is six o'clock.



have been wondering

has got back

have never smoked

have been going to the gym

have been having AND have been eating

have also been drinking

have always wanted



STATIVE VERBS - NOT "ING"



EX. WANT, LIKE, HATE, ENJOY ETC.

KNOW

SENSES - SEE, TOUCH, LISTEN, SMELL