Remembering Walt Whitman

I adore Walt Whitman

He's long been one of my favorite writers. On this day in 1892, in Camden New Jersey, he passed away ... and I'd like to honor him and share with you an excerpt from a piece of his titled "Calamus"

To read the entire piece in the Whitman Archives, go here.

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I am indifferent to my own songs—I will go with
him I love,
It is to be enough for us that we are together—We never separate again.

HOURS continuing long, sore and heavy-hearted,
Hours of the dusk, when I withdraw to a lonesome and unfrequented spot, seating myself, leaning my face in my hands;
Hours sleepless, deep in the night, when I go forth, speeding swiftly the country roads, or through the city streets, or pacing miles and miles, stifling plaintive cries;
Hours discouraged, distracted—for the one I cannot content myself without, soon I saw him content himself without me;
Hours when I am forgotten, (O weeks and months are passing, but I believe I am never to forget!)
Sullen and suffering hours! (I am ashamed—but it is useless—I am what I am;)
Hours of my torment—I wonder if other men ever have the like, out of the like feelings?
Is there even one other like me—distracted—his
friend, his lover, lost to him?
Is he too as I am now? Does he still rise in the morning, dejected, thinking who is lost to him? and at night, awaking, think who is lost?

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Have you ever read any of Whitman's work, my darlings? What do you think?