Whitman's “City Invincible” is Camden, not Camelot

Daydreaming
(The Shoe Shine Boy)

John George Brown (1831-1913)
[Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons
“In a dream I saw a city invincible.”

The proud motto of America's poorest city, Camden, New Jersey, appears above its City Hall entrance.

Derived from Walt Whitman's I Dream'd In A Dream, the motto is somewhat ironic.

Because of rampant poverty and crime, it is only in a dream where one may hope to see Camden as an invincible city.

And because of the city's decay, one expects most people would hope to see Camden never at all.

Despite the irony, however, the choice of these words from Whitman's poem is also fitting.

Its ambiguous opening may mean this describes a dream within a dream.

Indeed, assuming this was Whitman's intent, the poet's dream represents unattainable human aspiration.

I Dream'd In A Dream

I dream'd in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks
    of the whole of the rest of the earth,
I dream’d that was the new City of Friends,
Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love—it led the rest,
It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city,
And in all their looks and words.

Camden, America's poorest city, fights crime, poverty
March 8, 2013


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Although Camelot may never come to Camden, her residents today hope and dream of a better future there.

South Jersey Criminal Defense Trial Attorney Michael Smolensky, Esq., knows how to protect his clients. Mr. Smolensky can provide consultations on all criminal cases pending in a New Jersey court.

Call Now—(856) 812-0321.

Camden, New Jersey

Camden, New Jersey

America’s poorest city struggles with crime, violence
March 7, 2013



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Le Marauder
François Barraud (1899–1934)
[Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons
Is Camden really like this?

I attended Rutgers School of Law—Camden, and I clerked for a criminal court judge in Camden.

To truly begin addressing Camden's many problems, one must understand it is a city of many contradictions.

People in Camden need help. But the people I have met distrusted any hint of benevolence.

Many people in Camden did not complete high school. Despite opportunities for further education, only a few people have embraced them.

In a city where the poor steal from the destitute, where people shun gainful employment because it means loss of Medicaid, and where rodents feast while people live in poverty, is it any surprise that local leaders are running in a hamster wheel? Under these circumstances, one can easily become jaded by Camden's daily vagaries.

Yes, Camden is really like this.

Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Smolensky, Esq., knows how to protect his clients. Mr. Smolensky can provide consultations on all criminal cases pending in a New Jersey court.

Call Now—(856) 812-0321.