Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone

Part of the cluster CALAMUS.

Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone.

ROOTS and leaves themselves alone are these; Scents brought to men and women from the wild
woods, and from the pond-side, Breast-sorrel and pinks of love—fingers that wind
around tighter than vines, Gushes from the throats of birds, hid in the foliage
of trees, as the sun is risen; Breezes of land and love—breezes set from living
shores out to you on the living sea—to you,
O sailors! Frost-mellow'd berries, and Third-month twigs,
offer'd fresh to young persons wandering out
in the fields when the winter breaks up, Love-buds, put before you and within you, whoever
you are, Buds to be unfolded on the old terms; If you bring the warmth of the sun to them, they
will open, and bring form, color, perfume, to
you; If you become the aliment and the wet, they will
become flowers, fruits, tall branches and trees.

Part of the cluster CALAMUS.