Walt Whitman
poet · United States · 1819–1892
Printer, teacher and journalist, he published Leaves of Grass at his own expense at thirty-six and went on revising that one book until he died.
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first published 1855, revised all his life
I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
"Song of Myself" 1, in Leaves of Grass
first published 1855, revised all his life
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
"Song of Myself" 51, in Leaves of Grass
1855
I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.
"Song of Myself," in Leaves of Grass
1856
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
"Song of the Open Road," in Leaves of Grass
1856
It avails not, time nor place—distance avails not, I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence, Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt,
"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," in Leaves of Grass
1860
Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?
"To You," in Leaves of Grass
1865 · Walking out of an astronomy lecture full of charts and figures
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.
"When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer," in Leaves of Grass
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