Published Works

Books by Whitman

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BEGINNING MY STUDIES.

—————

BEGINNING my studies, the first step pleas'd me so much,

The mere fact, consciousness—these forms—the pow-
er of motion,

The least insect or animal—the senses—eyesight;

The first step, I say, aw'd me and pleas'd me so much,

I have never gone, and never wish'd to go, any farther,

But stop and loiter all my life, to sing it in extatic songs.

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