There was a child went forth every day,And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became,And that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day, Or for many years or streching eyeless years,The early lilacs became part of the child,And grass and white and red morning-glories and white and red clover, and the song of the phoebe-bird...

Summary

This quote, from Walt Whitman's poem "There was a Child Went Forth," describes the incredible power of observation and the profound impact that the external world can have on an individual. It suggests that what we see and experience in our surroundings becomes ingrained in our consciousness, leaving a lasting impression. The specific imagery of the child taking in the various elements of nature - lilacs, grass, morning-glories, clover, and the song of a bird - symbolizes the transformative effect that the natural world can have on our lives, shaping our perceptions, memories, and identities.

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