Leaves of Grass (1871-72)


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GODS.



 

1

THOUGHT of the Infinite—the All!
By thou my God.


 

2

Lover Divine, and Perfect Comrade!
Waiting, content, invisible yet, but certain,
Be thou my God.


 

3

Thou—thou, the Ideal Man!
Fair, able, beautiful, content, and loving,
Complete in Body, and dilate in Spirit,
Be thou my God.


 

4

O Death—(for Life has served its turn;)
Opener and usher to the heavenly mansion!
Be thou my God.


 

5

Aught, aught, of mightiest, best, I see, conceive, or
         know,
(To break the stagnant tie—thee, thee to free, O Soul.)
Be thou my God.


 

6

Or thee, Old Cause, whene'er advancing;
All great Ideas, the races' aspirations,
All that exalts, releases thee, my Soul!
All heroisms, deeds of rapt enthusiasts,
Be ye my Gods!


 

7

Or Time and Space!
Or shape of Earth, divine and wondrous!
Or shape in I myself—or some fair shape, I, viewing,
         worship,
Or lustrous orb of Sun, or star by night:
Be ye my Gods.
 
 
 
 
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