Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was born on Long Island, NY. He lived in Brooklyn and attended public school there. His self-promotion contributed to his success. His most famous work Leaves of Grass was self-published in 1855. It went unnoticed despite Whitman’s anonymous recommendations. One A-list poet, however, did take notice—Ralph Waldo Emerson, who praised it in a letter to Whitman. Walt knew a marketing opportunity when he saw it. He published a second edition and included Emerson’s recommendation. Although Emerson was upset because Walt did not ask permission, he still continued to recommend the work. Whitman continued to revise and issue new editions himself until he finally found a publisher in 1864. Whitman’s libertarian humanism influenced many poets, including D.H. Lawrence & the Beat poets Jack Kerouc & Allen Ginsberg.
To You
Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?
6.
A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands; How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more than he…
30.
…Logic and sermons never convince,
The damp of the night drives deeper into my soul…
44.
The clock indicates the moment—but what does eternity indicate?
We have thus far exhausted trillions of winters and summers.
There are trillions ahead, and trillions ahead of them.
Births have brought us richness and variety.
And other births will bring us richness & variety.
I do not call one greater and one smaller,
That which fills its period and place is equal to any.
I am the acme of things accomplish’d, and I an encloser of things to be.
…All forces have been steadily employ’d to complete and delight me,
Now on this spot I stand with my robust soul.
Sources: Wikipedia; Whitman, Laurel Poetry Series (Dell Publishing 1959)
