Jerry, Walt, and I

[Guest guest]

Hi Jerry,

 

I remember reading one of your first posts some years ago where you had

rewritten one of Walt Whitman's poems. It was nice reading. Early on, when I

saw your posts, I used to think what an articulate writer with such a

natural talent and facility.

 

I really enjoyed reading your recent poetry and the story.

 

You have got talent brother!

 

Love to all

Harsha

 

Here is a little Walt Whitman first published in 1856. Just a few excerpts

selected from "Song of the Open Road." I will pass this on to

as well. The beauty is overwhelming. "I celebrate myself!"

 

 

 

***********************

AFOOT and light-hearted, I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune--I myself am good fortune;

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,

Strong and content, I travel the open road.

 

The earth--that is sufficient;

I do not want the constellations any nearer;

I know they are very well where they are;

I know they suffice for those who belong to them.

 

(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens;

I carry them, men and women--I carry them with me wherever I go;

I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them;

I am fill'd with them, and I will fill them in return.)

>From this hour, freedom!

>From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines,

Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,

Listening to others, and considering well what they say,

Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,

Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that

would hold me.

 

I inhale great draughts of space;

The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are

mine.

 

I am larger, better than I thought;

I did not know I held so much goodness.

 

All seems beautiful to me;

I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, I

would do the same to you.

 

I will recruit for myself and you as I go;

I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;

I will toss the new gladness and roughness among them;

Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me;

Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me.

 

 

Now if a thousand perfect men were to appear, it would not amaze

me;

Now if a thousand beautiful forms of women appear'd, it would not

astonish me.

 

Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons,

It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth.