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SPONTANEOUS me, Nature, The loving day, the mounting sun, the friend I am happy with, The arm of my friend

hanging idly over my shoulder, The hillside whiten'd with blossoms of the mountain ash, The same late

and glued together with love, Earth of chaste love, life that is only life after love, The body of my

trembling encircling fingers, the young man all color'd, red, ashamed, angry; The souse upon me of my

greed that eats me day and night with hungry gnaw, till I saturate what shall produce boys to fill my

Dear friend, I am going to write you to ask any friends you may be in communication with for aid for my

Then I select the most needy cases & devote my time & services much to them.

hospitals, nothing but the mere hard routine, no time for tenderness or extras)—So I go round—Some of my

My brave young American soldiers—now for so many months I have gone around among them, where they lie

too near to each other, there is no time to lose, & death & anguish dissipate ceremony here between my

O'Grady | sent photos to him Dec 24 '81 11 Lr Lower Fitzwilliam St Dublin October 5, 1881 Dear Sir, My

My impressions regarding this literature I have published in various works.

poems & tales into a complete whole & so the student can never be exactly certain what is & what is not my

In the revolt of Islam he has a fine Panegyric on the future of America Fr For my own part I put him

I do not meet in you the expression of every changing ideal punctuating even the remotest parts of my

Dear Friend and Master You see I am now back in my own country.

I am staying, with my wife (I have been married about 18 months) at my father's house.

You did not say anything about my translation of Epictetus which I sent you.

I want it as a present for a friend, so don't write my name in the beginning.

Indeed the friend is my wife—so on second thoughts I would be glad, & so would she, if you would write

Woodbury Thursday July 30 My friend I feel but little in the humour for writing any thing that will have

live here ten hours he would fret himself to death: I have heard the words "thank you," but once since my

—It was fun no doubt, but it cost me two mortal pounds of flesh, besides numerous remnants of my apparrel

a miserable kind of a dog: I am sick of wearing away by inches, and spending the fairest portion of my

—I pray the fates he may rid me of my spleen ere long W. W. Abrahan P. Leech | Jamaica L.I.

It will be my duty to so blend these diverse views that a true picture may result from them.

Should you comply with my request, and give me what information you can, I am satisfied that you will

and if you would like to have it I shall preserve your name and address and shall send you a copy of my

I may say that it is not my intention to incorporate literally in my book any reply that I may receive

It is not my present intention to mention the names of any persons who supply me with information; if

Philadelphia—it is hard work, especially as I have no one to go with me—but I put a bold face on, & my

easily do if I would I should like much to go on the trips so handy & cheap, right as you might say from my

is to have every thing wanting—(Pete, dear son, there was $89 coming to you, of the money you put in my

love—also my love to Mr & Mrs.

Nash the next time you go there—so good by for the present my darling son, & you must keep good heart

NarayanaChandran"Earth, My Likeness" (1860)"Earth, My Likeness" (1860)Published as "Calamus" number 36

in the third (1860) edition of Leaves of Grass, "Earth, My Likeness" acquired its present title in 1867

"Earth, My Likeness" (1860)

JackField"Not Heaving from my Ribb'd Breast Only" (1860)"Not Heaving from my Ribb'd Breast Only" (1860

Adhesiveness," which the poet addresses in "Not Heaving" as the "pulse of my life," is a term from phrenology

"Not Heaving from my Ribb'd Breast Only" (1860)

To my incredulous looks—"but he has not published much: he is atheistic" &c.

And further: "My fear is of a deluge of soft soap—that I may go down in the flood. No—no.

I said my plan was to have a gathering of W.'

W.: "That is an idea—a good one—it commends itself to my mind at once. The birthday at Harned's!

car, 50 cts extra—plenty of room & a very easy riding car—thought while I was sitting up here now in my

yesterday afternoon & evening—took a ride up & down Broadway—am now laying off & taking it easy in my

just as natural into habits of doing nothing—lie on the sofa & read the papers—come up punctually to my

it for Sunday—I am feeling well & enjoying myself doing nothing, spending a great deal of time with my

Dear boy Pete, Both your letters came this week—also one from my friend Eldridge, he too speaks of meeting

with snow, as I look out—not the least thaw to-day, as it is cloudy—I rise pretty late mornings—had my

mutton-chop, coffee, nice brown bread & sweet butter, very nice—eat with very fair appetite—I enjoy my

the same as before described—no worse, no better, (nothing to brag of anyhow) I have mentioned about my

Saturday Press, New York, Mch March 27 18 60 My dear Walt: I am so busy that I hardly have time to breathe

This must explain my not answering yr your letter promptly.

I could if necessary give my note at three mos for the amount and it is a good note since we have never

to whom I am an entire stranger will do anything of the kind: but in suggesting it, I have done only my

.— My Dear Walt Whitman: If Tuesday, November 10th.

—It will be private, informal,— under the rose , my desire to show two eminent & worthy men, who have

—You have been much in my thoughts, ever in reverent admiration of your genius.

You will I am sure allow me to deliver it, when you honor me as my guest on November 10— Yours always

And so,—though I have nothing else to write about,—I want to send you a line or two again to express my

loving sympathy with you and my best wishes.

room which D J's description & photographs have made so familiar—solitary and ill—It reminds me of my

mother's condition in her last years—lame, suffering & much alone—and my heart goes out to you like

It is dry as a bone here, no rain for many weeks, my potato crop is cut short 50 per cent, & all my young

I try to keep absorbed in my farm operations.

My regards to Horace Traubel. Tell me something about him when you write again.

My dear Sir.

has hitherto hindered me from sending a frank message of love and thanks to you, in the thought that my

That overwhelming outburst of spirit was the first thing to stamp my nature.

My first coherent memory is of the Brooklyn 14 th Regiment recruiting on Fort Green in 1861.

docks From among all out of all Connected with all and yet distinct from all arises thee Dear Walt—Walt my

I am not a drunkard nor a teetotaler —I am neither honest or nor dishonest I have my family in Brooklyn

cheated nor defrauded, any person out of anything, and yet I feel that I have not been honest to myself— my

family nor my friends One Oclock , the Barque is laden with coal and the carts have come The old old

Oct 8th 1868 My Dear Friend Walt Whitman Your kind note and paper came duly at hand. Col.

often do in our reading circle there) and to feel that I may claim the honor of his friendship This is my

My studies are History, Grammer Grammar , Theory of Teaching, Algebra, and Latin This school is an institution

with us I love all seasons of the year, but particularly do I fall in love with golden leaved autumn My

important cases and good fees on prospect I was unable to realize the cash proceeds; so I applied and got my

—I hope to resume practice in this state, some time in the future, when I have paid my debts and saved

My mother is still living in Boston at the age of 75, well and hearty.

I hope you are fairly comfortable—God bless you my old and long tried friend— "With fond affection and

If you preferred you could have your bed here in my shanty—a large comfortable room on the brink of the

hill, fifty yards from the house, where my books and papers are, and where I spend most of my time.

My Carlyle article goes into the August Century. I am adding a page about Mrs.

Nothing very new in my affairs, sell a couple of books occasionally.

I suppose you saw my Riddle Song in the first number of Sunnyside Press —if not, I can send you the "

I delivered my Lincoln lecture last April 15 in Philadelphia—the same as the N.Y. version.

(Scratched off my Emerson screed down there, as it was there I rec'd received Abbott's letter.)

It is [my] sincere wish that Johny Makey will survive the operation and ultimately recover.

Yes my dear Brother, You have my friendship as fully as you can desire, and I hope we will meet again

Having nothing more of importance to communicate, I will conclude with my best wishes for your health

round—over the ferry & up Market street, Phila Philadelphia , & stop occasionally at 23 south 9th st. where my

Now that my two books, prose and the poems, are out, I hardly know what to strike for—what to look forward

republished in Scotland & L. of G. is being translated in Germany — Tuesday night 10½— I am finishing my

letter—Never mind, Harry, dear—we'll make it all right when we meet—I have just written to your mother—Well my

O the sun of the world will ascend, dazzling, and take his height—and you too, O my Ideal, will surely

O lips of my soul, already becoming powerless! O ample and grand Presidentiads!

(I must not venture—the ground under my feet men- aces menaces me—it will not support me: O future too

current songs of beauty, peace, decorum, I cast a reminiscence—(likely 'twill offend you, I heard it in my

their sense, their ears, towards his murmuring, half- caught half-caught words: "Let me return again to my

Give me my old wild battle-life again!"

trod, calling, I sing, for the last; (Not cities, nor man alone, nor war, nor the dead, But forth from my

vistas beyond— to the south and the north; To the leaven'd soil of the general western world, to attest my

Northern ice and rain, that began me, nourish me to the end; But the hot sun of the South is to ripen my

Sir Today I was coming to Camden full of hope that I might see you but I have not enough money to pay my

Yes—you are good—may I come to see you when my ship returns in about a month?

I hope— Will you accept my "Minutiæ." Will you— if you are able —write to me.

Walt Whitman, My dear Sir:— Your "Old Poets" in the November Number of the North American Review, I read

Pardon my sending you my thoughts, which, judging from the tone of your article I feel sure you will

I am still imprison'd in my sick room, yet sitting up & reading & writing & (in limits) talking & being

worst no prospect of real improvement—I mean in any body or leg strength, wh' is very low indeed—but my

—and at same time a big Vol. (900 pages) comprehending all my stuff—verses & prose—bound in one—Shall

My Dear Walt Through the stupidity of Lewis I did not receive the dispatch until late in the afternoon

I went directly to my frame makers, the frame will be done to-morrow, (it is a beauty) and if you wish

It is my wish it should be seen in Boston. Let me know how you propose to introduce it.

& was verry glad to get them & always shall be I am well the toe is getting along verry fast I ware my

boots A little everry day I think in A few days I shall be able to join my regiment I hope so anyway

Washington for women I think friend walt I should like to Come & see you verry much I hope that I shall join my

I have received my bible and I think a grate great eal deal of it I think it is very nice indeed.

but pop thinks I had better go to haddonfield I think I will come down next week if i can, I must end my

letter so it is good by my Dear Friend.

Camden New Jersey 328 Mickle Street Sept: 1 '87 My dear friend I wish you could take half an hour if

He advertises (Century, Sept. number ) to sell my photo, with autograph.

Go round & see if C will immediately send me copies of the pictures & follow my requests ab't them—Or

D r Harkness (my old friend who you met in Kingston in '80 and who went up the Saguenay with us ) is

This sick spell of mine has knocked all my calculations endways—do not at all know now when I shall go

east or what I shall do—shall probably go to England after a while and see you on my way Best love R

My Dear Friend Walter I now take my pen to Write you a few lines to let you know that I am Well and I

opens We Will have enof to do I think that this summer is agoing to settil this War I am Willing to do my

friend All about as usual— Rec'd received a London letter day before yesterday, purchasing six sets of my

remitting the pay —(come in good for Christmas pocket money)— Spent last evening till midnight with my

her—But you will see them—they return to London, Canada, in a few days—Your & Herby's letters rec'd —My

June 17, '75 1875 My dear Stedman, I have rec'd received your kind note, & am pleased that you remember

I shall select some scrap of my MS. & send you soon.

Real and Ideal) all sorts of things, prose & (my) poetry.

Bielby, & Dear Doctor, I read the letter of Oct. 29, (full of good kindliness & sympathy—My general physique

still [ke]eps up, the battle with my [se]rious special cerebral ailment—& I think the physique will

yet carry the day—& that I shall come back to Washington, & see you all again—though my case is very

328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey March 4 '85 My dear friends Your letter comforts & touches me deeply

Davis, strong & hearty & good natured, a widow, young enough, furnishes me my meals, & takes good care

—Soon as you get this write me how John is getting along—Last Saturday's Critic has a piece about my

Walter Whitman— Sir i take my pen in hand to let you know that i am well and i hope that these few lines

may find you the same i have not got a way yet from this hospittle but i think that my papers will be

home. i am sorry that i did not think to tell you to not mind what he told you Well i must [close] My

My dear friend, I find my mother in excellent spirits & fair health & strength, considering her age,

Show John this letter—I send him my love—William, I have not yet rec'd any letters—when any come, send

My sister Mat & her children are here. Farewell.

vulgarity and meanness, and described an encounter with her which he came out of with "the back of my

"Henry Clapp," Walt Whitman said to Horace Traubel, "stepped out from the crowd of hooters—was my friend

So I know beforehand that my pamphlet comes to you at a disadvantage" (Charles E.

A.MS. draft and notes.loc.00287xxx.00263[All my emprises]about 1874poetryhandwritten1 leaf; A draft of

[All my emprises]

A.MS. draft and notes.loc.00268xxx.00263[Thou knowest my]about 1874poetryhandwritten1 leaf; A draft of

[Thou knowest my]

A.MS. draft and notes.loc.00277xxx.00263[my end draws]about 1874poetryhandwritten1 leaf; A draft of lines

[my end draws]

I loafe and invite my Soul, I lean and loafe at my ease, observing a spear of summer grass.

The smoke of my own breath, Echoes, ripples, buzzed whispers, love-root, silk-thread, crotch and vine

, My respiration and inspiration, the beating of my heart, the passing of blood and air through my lungs

The sound of the belched words of my voice, words loosed to the eddies of the wind, A few light kisses

Our poet goes on to say (105): I know I am august, I do not trouble my spirit to vindicate itself or

"My—your sleep must have been a soothing one!" He laughed with me.

I said: "I have often explained my adhesion to you in almost the same words." "Is it so?

off for my own use.

my notion in its favor."

What was my impression of it? "You like to see all that's going on?

My impression of W's appearance at this date is a favorable one: though it is clear enough that his recent

Often he points me about the rooms: "Poor as these are, they are a comfort to me—my own—giving me freedom

My only uncompromising friend in the family is probably Watson—he swears to me—not everything in me,

When I was in Denver I spent my longest hours in contemplation of the mountain ranges."

I took off my hat to the compliment.

"I am getting more and more satisfied with my bed and chair, which is suspicious."

Explains: "The fall in my pulse is getting more and more evident: I've got no time to lose."

In talking about signatures W. said: "O'Connor once took one of my signatures to a clerk in the Treasury

I have about made up my mind to live another year: why not?

You will see that he harps on the Calamus poems again—always harping on 'my daughter.'

W. said: "My brother Jeff, from St.

My dear mother had every general faith in me; that is where she stopped.

Expect to stay in the neighborhood another week, when I shall shift my diggings as my bedroom window

My feeling about him is not condemnatory—only indifferent." I told W.

This is not the general view: it is my view.