This is a very simple passage. A scene of Walt resting by a creek after a walk and watching crows fly overhead. It's so simple, so straightforward, that I feel there are many ways you can look at it.
For one, there is the growing darkness in the sky, which we could very easily connect to the growing tensions of the war that Whitman was witnessing. There's also the idea of movement, the crows flying together and part, side to side, etc. They are a symbol of change, which was something else Whitman could relate to. Then, finally, there is the notion of passing. This section ends with the crows flying into the woods, out of sight with only their caws for Whitman to hear. It's kind of optimistic if you think about it, a "this to shall pass" moment to give Whitman hope.
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