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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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The Prairie-Grass Dividing.
THE prairie-grass dividing—its special odor breathing, |
I demand of it the spiritual corresponding, |
Demand the most copious and close companionship of
men,
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Demand the blades to rise of words, acts, beings, |
Those of the open atmosphere, coarse, sunlit, fresh,
nutritious,
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Those that go their own gait, erect, stepping with free-
dom and command—leading, not following,
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Those with a never-quell'd audacity—those with sweet
and lusty flesh, clear of taint,
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Those that look carelessly in the faces of Presidents
and Governors, as to say, Who are you?
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Those of earth-born passion, simple, never-constrain'd,
never obedient,
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