Poetry 112: Song of Myself

A Walt Whitman poem was already previously shared, but the other day in English class we read "Song of Myself." I couldn't get it out of my head after that, so I knew that I had to showcase it on here. Like the previous poem,"Pioneers! O Pioneers", this one is also quite long, so I'll just share the first part of it.

Song Of Myself
By Walt Whitman

" I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their
parents the same,
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death.

Creeds and schools in abeyance,
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten,
I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,
Nature without check with original energy. "

If you want, you can read the rest of the entire poem by clicking here. I suppose over these past two Walt Whitman related posts we can conclude that he certainly enjoys writing extremely long poetry, but also that his poetry is spectacular as well. (Plus, as seen below, he has an awesome beard. Just look at it!)