Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitmanwas an American poet, essayist, and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth31 May 1819
CountryUnited States of America
I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness.
I am large, I contain multitudes
I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least.
Failing to fetch me at first, keep encouraged. Missing me one place, search another. I stop somewhere waiting for you.
Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me.
There is no God any more divine than Yourself.
O to speed where there is space enough and air enough at last!
And there is no trade or employment but the young man following it may become a hero.
To die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.
I am an acme of things accomplished, and I am an encloser of things to be.
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me. The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose. Henceforth, I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune. Henceforth, I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.
And I or you pocketless of a dime, may purchase the pick of the earth.
The future is no more uncertain than the present.
The best writing has no lace on its sleeves.