Leaves of Grass

About this book

Leaves of Grass are a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892). Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent most of his professional life writing and re-writing Leaves of Grass.The poems of Leaves of Grass are loosely connected, with each representing Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its discussion of delight in sensual pleasures during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of Grass (particularly the first edition) exalted the body and the material world. (Wikipedia)Come, said my soul,Such verses for my Body let us write, (for we are one,)That should I after return,Or, long, long hence, in other spheres,There to some group of mates the chants resuming,(Tallying Earth's soil, trees, winds, tumultuous waves,)Ever with pleas'd smile I may keep on,Ever and ever yet the verses owning--as, first, I here and nowSigning for Soul and Body set to them my name,Walt Whitman

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