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

[16. Who is now reading this?]

1.

Who is now reading this?

2.

May-be one is now reading this who knows some wrong-doing of my past life,
Or may-be a stranger is reading this who has secretly loved me,
Or may-be one who meets all my grand assumptions and egotisms with derision,
Or may-be one who is puzzled at me.
362

3.

As if I were not puzzled at myself!
Or as if I never deride myself! (O conscience-struck! O self-convicted!)
Or as if I do not secretly love strangers! (O tenderly, a long time, and never avow it;)
Or as if I did not see, perfectly well, interior in myself, the stuff of wrong-doing,
Or as if it could cease transpiring from me until it must cease.
previous section Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)
next section