 | Leaves of grass (1872) |  |
Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone.
Roots and leaves themselves alone are these;Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods, and from the pond-side,
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love—fingers that wind around tighter than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds, hid in the foliage of trees, as the sun is risen;
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Frost-mellow'd berries, and Third-month twigs, offer'd fresh to young persons wandering out in the fields when the winter breaks up,
Love-buds, put before you and within you, whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms;
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them,they will open, and bring form, color, perfume, to you;
If you become the aliment and the wet, they will become flowers, fruits, tall branches and trees.
| Leaves of grass (1872) | |