Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Who speaks...?

from: Leaves of Grass (1900) by Walt Whitman
x
x
How lucky can you get? When I haven't
got a clue what to write about next,
someone quite acclaimed rescues me.
So, thank you today, Walt Whitman.
Alas,tomorrow's another day!
x
x
SONG OF MYSELF/ section 52
x
The spotted hawk swoops by and accuses me-
he complains of my gab and my loitering.
x
I too am not a bit tamed- I too am
untranslatable;
I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs
of the world.
x
The last scud of day holds back for me;
it flings my likeness after the rest, and true
as any, on the shadow'd wilds;
it coaxes me to the vapor and the dusk.
x
I depart as air- I shake my white locks
at the runaway sun;
I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in
lacy jags.
x
I bequeathe myself to the dirt, to grow
from the grass I love;
if you want me again, look for me under
your boot-soles.
x
You will hardly know who I am, or what I mean:
But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,
And filter and fibre your blood.
x
Failing to fetch me at first, keep encouraged;
Missing the one place, search another;
I stop somewhere, waiting for you.
x
x
x
Who speaks for you today?
x

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Lyn,

There is a lot in this piece, which I shall read over several times.

You have a good spokesman!

Lyn said...

Hi Derrick-
Thank you! I guess I do know how to pick someone to do my work!

Jeane Myers said...

I agree with Derrick - I've read it several times and find something new each time - but then again, I'm a bit slow about poetry and I forget very easily anymore so it could be new for years.......

Lyn said...

Hi Jeane-
I think that's how it is with Whitman, you can read it many times..and there's lots to see!

A Cuban In London said...

First of al, thanks a lot for your remark about Jack Nicholson for the Jack Levy part. It cracked me up so much!

I love this poem, but then again, I am a Whitman person. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Unknown said...

Hello again Lyn,

Just wanted to tell you that there is an award for you at my place!

Lyn said...

Greetings to A Cuban-
Thank you..yes, the mind of Whitman goes on forever.
And I have to admit, whatever I read, I become a casting director!

Lyn said...

Hi Derrick-
What a nice surprise..I'm zooming right over..Thank you!!

rien magazine said...

Kiefer says Whitman was ahead of his time. Emo says yeah, his watch ran twelve minutes fact. Kiefer tells Emo that wasn't funny. Emo says why not let the hostess decide that. They both turn to look at you.

(don't be scared, saw you at Steph's)

Lyn said...

Hi K and E-
I don't scare easy..
You've got rhythm..singing lessons
could be in order, let the Emo of you run free!
Oh yeah, thanks...

LinkWithin

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin