University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)

collapse section 
[section]
  
Proto-Leaf.
expand section 
WALT WHITMAN.
expand section 
CHANTS DEMOCRATIC AND NATIVE AMERICAN.
expand section 
Leaves of Grass.
  
Salut au Monde!
  
Poem of Joys.
  
A WORD OUT OF THE SEA.
  
REMINISCENCE.
  
LEAF OF FACES.
  
EUROPE, The 72d and 73d Years of These States.
  
THOUGHT.
collapse section 
Enfans d' Adam.
 1. 
[1. To the garden, the world, anew ascending]
 2. 
[2. From that of myself, without which I were nothing]
 3. 
[3. O my children! O mates!]
 4. 
[4. A woman waits for me—she contains all, nothing is lacking]
 5. 
[5. Spontaneous me, Nature]
 6. 
[6. O furious! O confine me not!]
 7. 
[7. You and I—what the earth is, we are]
 8. 
[8. Native moments! when you come upon me—Ah you are here now!]
 9. 
[9. Once I passed through a populous city, imprinting my brain, for future use, with its shows, architecture, customs, and traditions]
 10. 
[10. Inquiring, tireless, seeking that yet unfound]
 11. 
[11. In the new garden, in all the parts]
 12. 
[12. Ages and ages, returning at intervals]
 13. 
[13. O hymen! O hymenee!]
 14. 
[14. I am he that aches with love]
 15. 
[15. Early in the morning]
  
POEM OF THE ROAD.
  
TO THE SAYERS OF WORDS.
  
A BOSTON BALLAD, The 78th Year of These States.
expand section 
CALAMUS.
  
CROSSING BROOKLYN FERRY.
  
LONGINGS FOR HOME.
expand section 
MESSENGER LEAVES.
  
MANNAHATTA.
  
FRANCE, The 18th Year of These States.
expand section 
THOUGHTS.
  
UNNAMED LANDS.
  
KOSMOS.
  
A HAND-MIRROR.
  
BEGINNERS.
  
TESTS.
  
SAVANTISM.
  
PERFECTIONS.
  
SAYS.
expand section 
DEBRIS.
  
SLEEP-CHASINGS.
  
BURIAL.
  
TO MY SOUL.
  
So long!

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)
next section

[8. Native moments! when you come upon me—Ah you are here now!]

Native moments! when you come upon me—Ah you are here now!
Give me now libidinous joys only!
Give me the drench of my passions! Give me life coarse and rank!
To-day, I go consort with nature's darlings—to-night too,
311

I am for those who believe in loose delights—I share the midnight orgies of young men,
I dance with the dancers, and drink with the drinkers,
The echoes ring with our indecent calls,
I take for my love some prostitute—I pick out some low person for my dearest friend,
He shall be lawless, rude, illiterate—he shall be one condemned by others for deeds done;
I will play a part no longer—Why should I exile myself from my companions?
O you shunned persons! I at least do not shun you,
I come forthwith in your midst—I will be your poet,
I will be more to you than to any of the rest.
previous section Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)
next section