The Poem That is You
This is what you shall do:
love the Earth and sun and the animals,
despise riches,
give alms to everyone that asks,
stand up for the stupid and crazy,
devote your income and labour to others,
hate tyrants,
argue not concerning God,
have patience and indulgence towards the people,
…………………………………………
re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book,
dismiss whatever insults your own soul;
and your very flesh shall be a great poem
and have the richest fluency not only in its words
but in the silent lines of its lips and face
and between the lashes of your eyes
and in every motion and joint of your body. …
~Walt Whitman
from Preface to Leaves of Grass (1855)
from Preface to Leaves of Grass (1855)
In the middle of this very special week for so many of you, I wanted to share with you this reflection.
How do you feel when you read this poem?
What words especially touched you today?
Can you see your life, your body, as a poem?
Would love to hear from you today,
Photo Credit: flickr photo by yokviv
wow, amazing poem.
i feel happy and relax after i read your poem. it is looklike therapy for me. thanks.
@Sewa Mobil di Surabaya: You know, Sewa, I had the same reaction to this piece when I read it. It completely soothed me. I am glad you enjoyed it, as well.