Leaves of Grass (1860)

contents   |   previous   |   next
Page 310
View Page 310



 

8.

NATIVE moments! when you come upon me—Ah
         you are here now!
Give me now libidinous joys only!
Give me the drench of my passions! Give me life
         coarse and rank!
To-day, I go consort with nature's darlings—to-night
         too,

Page 311
View Page 311
I am for those who believe in loose delights—I share
         the midnight orgies of young men,
I dance with the dancers, and drink with the drink-
         ers,
The echoes ring with our indecent calls,
I take for my love some prostitute—I pick out some
         low person for my dearest friend,
He shall be lawless, rude, illiterate—he shall be one
         condemned by others for deeds done;
I will play a part no longer—Why should I exile
         myself from my companions?
O you shunned persons! I at least do not shun you,
I come forthwith in your midst—I will be your poet,
I will be more to you than to any of the rest.
contents   |   previous   |   next

Comments?

Published Works | In Whitman's Hand | Life & Letters | Commentary | Resources | Pictures & Sound

Support the Archive | About the Archive

Distributed under a Creative Commons License. Ed Folsom & Kenneth M. Price, editors.