walt

             In the first edition of "Leaves Of Grass," (1855),
               this poem was untitled. In the second edition,
         it was called "Poem Of Walt Whitman, An American."
             This version, finally entitled "Song Of Myself,"
                       is from the third edition of 1882.

(just an exerpt though...)
I celebrate myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

My tongue, every atom of my blood, formed from this soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,
I, now thirty seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death.

Creeds and schools in abeyance,
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten,
I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,
Nature without check with original energy.