by Whitman · Cluster: Wine and Drink · Ballad Ballade · Road
Abstract
The poet cheerfully accepts modest gifts as he rendezvous with his poems, giving in return the entrance to all the gifts of the universe; free-verse on the open road, the poet and gift.
Connections
Topoi: Open Road Homecoming, Poet as Prophet Motifs: Money and Gold Themes & Concepts: Artist and Society, Self Forms & Genres: Free Verse
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: BY THE ROADSIDE
What you give me I cheerfully accept,
A little sustenance, a hut and garden, a little money, as I
rendezvous with my poems,
A traveler’s lodging and breakfast as journey through the States,—
why should I be ashamed to own such gifts? why to advertise for them?
For I myself am not one who bestows nothing upon man and woman,
For I bestow upon any man or woman the entrance to all the gifts of
the universe.