Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass (1860)

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To a Pupil.

¹ IS reform needed? Is it through you?

The greater the reform needed, the greater the PER-
SONALITY you need to accomplish it.

² You! do you not see how it would serve to have eyes,
blood, complexion, clean and sweet?

Do you not see how it would serve to have such a
         body and Soul, that when you enter the crowd,
         an atmosphere of desire and command enters
         with you, and every one is impressed with your
         personality?

³ O the magnet! the flesh over and over!

Go, mon cher! if need be, give up all else, and com-
mence to-day to inure yourself to pluck, reality,
self-esteem, definiteness, elevatedness,

Rest not, till you rivet and publish yourself of your
own personality.

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