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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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TO ONE SHORTLY TO DIE.
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1 FROM all the rest I single out you, having a message
for you:
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You are to die—Let others tell you what they please, I
cannot prevaricate,
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I am exact and merciless, but I love you—There is no
escape for you.
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2 Softly I lay my right hand upon you—you just feel it, |
I do not argue—I bend my head close, and half en-
velop it,
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I sit quietly by—I remain faithful, |
I am more than nurse, more than parent or neighbor, |
I absolve you from all except yourself, spiritual bodily,
—that is eternal—you yourself will surely escape,
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The corpse you will leave will be but excrementitious. |
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3 The sun bursts through in unlooked-for directions! |
Strong thoughts fill you, and confidence—you smile! |
You forget you are sick, as I forget you are sick, |
You do not see the medicines—you do not mind the
weeping friends—I am with you,
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I exclude others from you—there is nothing to be com-
miserated,
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I do not commiserate—I congratulate you. |
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