Leaves of Grass (1871-72)


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Behold this Swarthy Face.

BEHOLD this swarthy face—these gray eyes,
This beard—the white wool, unclipt upon my neck,
My brown hands, and the silent manner of me, without
         charm;
Yet comes one, a Manhattanese, and ever at parting,
         kisses me lightly on the lips with robust love,
And I, on the crossing of the street, or on the ship's
         deck, give a kiss in return;
We observe that salute of American comrades, land and
         sea,
We are those two natural and nonchalant persons.
 
 
 
 
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