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.
expand section 
Enfans d' Adam.
  
POEM OF THE ROAD.
  
TO THE SAYERS OF WORDS.
  
A BOSTON BALLAD, The 78th Year of These States.
collapse section 
CALAMUS.
 1. 
[1. In paths untrodden]
 2. 
[2. Scented herbage of my breast]
 3. 
[3. Whoever you are holding me now in hand]
 4. 
[4. These I, singing in spring, collect for lovers]
 5. 
[5. States!]
 6. 
[6. Not heaving from my ribbed breast only]
 7. 
[7. Of the terrible question of appearances]
 8. 
[8. Long I thought that knowledge alone would suffice me—O if I could but obtain knowledge!]
 9. 
[9. Hours continuing long, sore and heavy-hearted]
 10. 
[10. You bards of ages hence! when you refer to me, mind not so much my poems]
 11. 
[11. When I heard at the close of the day how my name had been received with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that followed]
 12. 
[12. Are you the new person drawn toward me, and asking something significant from me?]
 13. 
[13. Calamus taste]
 14. 
[14. Not heat flames up and consumes]
 15. 
[15. O drops of me! trickle, slow drops]
 16. 
[16. Who is now reading this?]
 17. 
[17. Of him I love day and night, I dreamed I heard he was dead]
 18. 
[18. City of my walks and joys!]
 19. 
[19. Mind you the the timid models of the rest, the majority?]
 20. 
[20. I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing]
 21. 
[21. Music always round me, unceasing, unbeginning—yet long untaught I did not hear]
 22. 
[22. Passing stranger! you do not know how longingly I look upon you]
 23. 
[23. This moment as I sit alone, yearning and thoughtful, it seems to me there are other men in other lands, yearning and thoughtful]
 24. 
[24. I hear it is charged against me that I seek to destroy institutions]
 25. 
[25. The prairie-grass dividing—its own odor breathing]
 26. 
[26. We two boys together clinging]
 27. 
[27. O love!]
 28. 
[28. When I peruse the conquered fame of heroes, and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals]
 29. 
[29. One flitting glimpse, caught through an interstice]
 30. 
[30. A promise and gift to California]
 31. 
[31. What ship, puzzled at sea, cons for the true reckoning?]
 32. 
[32. What think you I take my pen in hand to record?]
 33. 
[33. No labor-saving machine]
 34. 
[34. I dreamed in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth]
 35. 
[35. To you of New England]
 36. 
[36. Earth! my likeness!]
 37. 
[37. A leaf for hand in hand!]
 38. 
[38. Primeval my love for the woman I love]
 39. 
[39. Sometimes with one I love, I fill myself with rage, for fear I effuse unreturned love]
 40. 
[40. That shadow, my likeness, that goes to and fro, seeking a livelihood, chattering, chaffering]
 41. 
[41. Among the men and women, the multitude, I perceive one picking me out by secret and divine signs]
 42. 
[42. To the young man, many things to absorb, to engraft, to develop, I teach, to help him become élève of mine]
 43. 
[43. O you whom I often and silently come where you are, that I may be with you]
 44. 
[44. Here my last words, and the most baffling]
 45. 
[45. Full of life, sweet-blooded, compact, visible]
  
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

[6. Not heaving from my ribbed breast only]

Not heaving from my ribbed breast only,
Not in sighs at night, in rage, dissatisfied with myself,
Not in those long-drawn, ill-suppressed sighs,
Not in many an oath and promise broken,
Not in my wilful and savage soul's volition,
352

Not in the subtle nourishment of the air,
Not in this beating and pounding at my temples and wrists,
Not in the curious systole and diastole within, which will one day cease,
Not in many a hungry wish, told to the skies only,
Not in cries, laughter, defiances, thrown from me when alone, far in the wilds,
Not in husky pantings through clenched teeth,
Not in sounded and resounded words—chattering words, echoes, dead words,
Not in the murmurs of my dreams while I sleep,
Nor the other murmurs of these incredible dreams of every day,
Nor in the limbs and senses of my body, that take you and dismiss you continually—Not there,
Not in any or all of them, O adhesiveness! O pulse of my life!
Need I that you exist and show yourself, any more than in these songs.
previous section Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)
next section