 | Leaves of grass (1872) |  |
115
GODS.
1
Thought of the Infinite—the All!Be thou my God.
2
Lover Divine, and Perfect Comrade!Waiting, content, invisible yet, but certain,
Be thou my God.
3
Thou—thou, the Ideal Man!Fair, able, beautiful, content, and loving,
Complete in Body, and dilate in Spirit,
Be thou my God.
4
O Death—(for Life has served its turn;)Opener and usher to the heavenly mansion!
Be thou my God.
5
Aught, aught, of mightiest, best, I see, conceive, or know,(To break the stagnant tie—thee, thee to free, O Soul,)
Be thou my God.
6
Or thee, Old Cause, whene'er advancing;All great Ideas, the races' aspirations,
All that exalts, releases thee, my Soul!
All heroisms, deeds of rapt enthusiasts,
Be ye my Gods!
7
Or Time and Space!Or shape of Earth, divine and wondrous!
Or shape in I myself—or some fair shape, I, viewing, worship,
Or lustrous orb of sun, or star by night,
Be ye my Gods.
| Leaves of grass (1872) | |