by Whitman · Cluster: Identity · Free Verse · Eternal Return
Abstract
Programmatic opening lyric of Leaves of Grass balancing the single self against the democratic en-masse, celebrating body and soul, male and female equally; free-verse manifesto.
Connections
Motifs: Music and Song Themes & Concepts: Identity, Democracy, Body, Self-Knowledge Forms & Genres: Free Verse
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: INSCRIPTIONS
One’s-self I sing, a simple separate person,
Yet utter the word Democratic, the word En-Masse.
Of physiology from top to toe I sing,
Not physiognomy alone nor brain alone is worthy for the Muse, I say
the Form complete is worthier far,
The Female equally with the Male I sing.
Of Life immense in passion, pulse, and power,
Cheerful, for freest action form’d under the laws divine,
The Modern Man I sing.