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Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)

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[section]
  
Proto-Leaf.
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WALT WHITMAN.
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CHANTS DEMOCRATIC AND NATIVE AMERICAN.
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Leaves of Grass.
 1. 
[1. Elemental drifts!]
 2. 
[2. Great are the myths—I too delight in them]
 3. 
[3. A young man came to me with a message from his brother]
 4. 
[4. Something startles me where I thought I was safest]
 5. 
[5. All day I have walked the city, and talked with my friends, and thought of prudence]
 6. 
[6. Perfect sanity shows the master among philosophs]
 7. 
[7. I need no assurances—I am a man who is preoccupied, of his own Soul]
 8. 
[8. What shall I give? and which are my miracles?]
 9. 
[9. There was a child went forth every day]
 10. 
[10. It is ended—I dally no more]
 11. 
[11. Who learns my lesson complete?]
 12. 
[12. This night I am happy]
 13. 
[13. O bitter sprig! Confession sprig!]
 14. 
[14. Unfolded out of the folds of the woman, man comes unfolded, as is always to come unfolded]
 15. 
[15. Night on the Prairies]
 16. 
[16. Sea-water, and all living below it]
 17. 
[17. I sit and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and upon all oppression and shame]
 18. 
[18. O me, man of slack faith so long!]
 19. 
[19. Forms, qualities, lives, humanity, language, thoughts]
 20. 
[20. So far, and so far, and on toward the end]
 21. 
[21. Now I make a leaf of Voices—for I have found nothing mightier than they are]
 22. 
[22. What am I, after all, but a child, pleased with the sound of my own name? repeating it over and over]
 23. 
[23. Locations and times—what is it in me that meets them all, whenever and wherever, and makes me at home?]
 24. 
[24. Lift me close to your face till I whisper]
  
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.
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Enfans d' Adam.
  
POEM OF THE ROAD.
  
TO THE SAYERS OF WORDS.
  
A BOSTON BALLAD, The 78th Year of These States.
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CALAMUS.
  
CROSSING BROOKLYN FERRY.
  
LONGINGS FOR HOME.
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MESSENGER LEAVES.
  
MANNAHATTA.
  
FRANCE, The 18th Year of These States.
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THOUGHTS.
  
UNNAMED LANDS.
  
KOSMOS.
  
A HAND-MIRROR.
  
BEGINNERS.
  
TESTS.
  
SAVANTISM.
  
PERFECTIONS.
  
SAYS.
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DEBRIS.
  
SLEEP-CHASINGS.
  
BURIAL.
  
TO MY SOUL.
  
So long!

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[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,
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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.
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