Why Every Atom?

Someone asked me why I chose that specific Walt Whitman line for the title of my blog. Well, Uncle Walt and I have a long history--my father used to read me selections from "Song of Myself" when I would visit from college, so it has that connection. But there is something eternal in the poet's line. I have a concrete love of the sciences that I balance as best I can with my philosophy and theology. Whitman's line to me captures the inherent science of our natural world, that the atoms that make up matter (and eventually life) are indeed basic materials belonging to all who abide on this planet. But then he hints at broader issues here, does he not? Socialism? As in a shared society and resources. Parity? As in we each get the atoms needed to sustain life (or at least those of us fortunate to be born in cultures where such substance is made possible). So the poet blends science and philosophy and art into one lovely little stanza, which means a lot to me. I mean, look at all of the energy and time I put into this post--when the Great Uncle said is with such economy and beauty--For Every Atom Belonging to Me as Good Belongs to You.