Final answer:
The phrase "unyoking time" symbolizes emotional or philosophical freedom from the constraints of time, suggesting an entry into a timeless or eternal state. The context in poetry often touches on existential themes and transcendental ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "unyoking time" in line 61 likely symbolizes the idea of liberating oneself from the constraints of time or stepping out of the normal progression of time.
By unyoking, which implies removing the harness from an animal used for pulling a load, the phrase suggests a release or freedom. In the context of the provided lines, this can be interpreted as escaping the boundaries of the clock and linear time, and entering into the realm of the infinite, the timeless, or eternity.
The lines you are referencing might suggest a transcendental concept, where the speaker acknowledges the limitations of measured time ("The clock indicates the moment") and contrasts it with the incomprehensible span of eternity ("but what does eternity indicate?"). In essence, the speaker is pointing towards a vast, unbounded future, unshackled from the tick-tock of temporal concerns, symbolized by "unyoking time".
This phrase is reminiscent of Walt Whitman's poem, "Song of Myself." In this poem, Whitman explores the concept of eternity and the idea that time shouldn't confine our experiences or define our identities. He invites readers to question the significance of time and its impact on our lives.
By using the phrase "unyoking time," Whitman encourages us to break free from the constraints of the clock and embrace the eternal, infinite nature of existence.