by Whitman · Cluster: Flowers · Spring · Garden

Abstract

A free-verse lyric invoking Virginia’s spring, blood-red roses and deathless grass to perfume the poet’s book; themes of nature, spring and the immortality of verse.

Connections

Topoi: Immortality Through Verse Motifs: Nature, Spring, Rose, Grass Leaves of Grass, River

Testo integrale / Full text

Cluster: FROM NOON TO STARRY NIGHT

By broad Potomac’s shore, again old tongue, (Still uttering, still ejaculating, canst never cease this babble?) Again old heart so gay, again to you, your sense, the full flush spring returning, Again the freshness and the odors, again Virginia’s summer sky, pellucid blue and silver, Again the forenoon purple of the hills, Again the deathless grass, so noiseless soft and green, Again the blood-red roses blooming.

Perfume this book of mine O blood-red roses! Lave subtly with your waters every line Potomac! Give me of you O spring, before I close, to put between its pages! O forenoon purple of the hills, before I close, of you! O deathless grass, of you!