Walt Whitman

LEAVES OF GRASS
(1891-92 issue)
complete book, e-book

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18

 I will confront these shows of the day and night,
 I will know if I am to be less than they,
 I will see if I am not as majestic as they,
 I will see if I am not as subtle and real as they,
 I will see if I am to be less generous than they,
 I will see if I have no meaning, while the houses and ships have meaning,
 I will see if the fishes and birds are to be enough for themselves,
 and I am not to be enough for myself.
 
 I match my spirit against yours you orbs, growths, mountains, brutes,
 Copious as you are I absorb you all in myself, and become the master myself,
 America isolated yet embodying all, what is it finally except myself?
 These States, what are they except myself?
 
 I know now why the earth is gross, tantalizing, wicked, it is for my sake,
 I take you specially to be mine, you terrible, rude forms.
 
 
 (Mother, bend down, bend close to me your face,
 I know not what these plots and wars and deferments are for,
 I know not fruition's success, but I know that through war and crime
 your work goes on, and must yet go on.)