The Walt Whitman Archive
In Whitman's Hand
Manuscripts
About this Item
Title: Perfect serenity of mind
Creator: Walt Whitman
Date: Before 1860
Whitman Archive ID: duk.00044
Source: Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. Transcribed from digital images of the original. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of manuscripts, see our statement of editorial policy.
Editorial note: A line from this manuscript appears in "Poem of Joys," first published in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, and later titled "A Song of Joys." Based on the handwriting, however, this manuscript probably was written earlier, likely before publication of the first (1855) edition of Leaves of Grass.
Related item: Printed text pasted onto the back of the manuscript has been underlined in pencil.
Contributors to digital file: Nicole Gray, Kenneth M. Price, Farrah Lehman, Sandy Byrd, and Jennifer R. Overkamp
[begin leaf 1 recto] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
![[Page image: https://whitmanarchive.org/manuscripts/figures/duk_nhg.00385_large.jpg]](https://whitmanarchive.org/manuscripts/figures/duk_nhg.00385_large.jpg)
——————————
Perfect serenity of mind
To take with entire self-possession
whatever comes,
What is this small thing in the great
continuous volumes every where?
This is but a temporary portion—
not to be dwelt upon—not
to distress—not to have prominence.
Superior nonchalance
No fumes—no ennui—no complaints
or scornful criticisms,—
To find how easily one can abstract
his identity from temporary affairs.
[begin leaf 1 verso] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
![[Page image: https://whitmanarchive.org/manuscripts/figures/duk_am.00294.jpg]](https://whitmanarchive.org/manuscripts/figures/duk_am.00294.jpg)