Walt Whitman
@skeetsofgrass.bsky.social
The 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, in order, little by little, over and over.
He kisses lightly the wet cheeks one after another .... he shakes hands and bids goodbye to the army.
November 27, 2025 at 2:49 PM
He kisses lightly the wet cheeks one after another .... he shakes hands and bids goodbye to the army.
The chief encircles their necks with his arm and kisses them on the cheek,
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The chief encircles their necks with his arm and kisses them on the cheek,
The officers speechless and slow draw near in their turns,
November 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The officers speechless and slow draw near in their turns,
He stands in the room of the old tavern .... the wellbeloved soldiers all pass through,
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
He stands in the room of the old tavern .... the wellbeloved soldiers all pass through,
The same at last and at last when peace is declared,
November 27, 2025 at 6:49 AM
The same at last and at last when peace is declared,
He sees the slaughter of the southern braves confided to him by their parents.
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 AM
He sees the slaughter of the southern braves confided to him by their parents.
His face is cold and damp .... he cannot repress the weeping drops .... he lifts the glass perpetually to his eyes .... the color is blanched from his cheeks,
November 27, 2025 at 2:49 AM
His face is cold and damp .... he cannot repress the weeping drops .... he lifts the glass perpetually to his eyes .... the color is blanched from his cheeks,
Washington stands inside the lines .. he stands on the entrenched hills amid a crowd of officers,
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Washington stands inside the lines .. he stands on the entrenched hills amid a crowd of officers,
Now of the old war-days .. the defeat at Brooklyn;
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Now of the old war-days .. the defeat at Brooklyn;
In the morning I help pick up the dead and lay them in rows in a barn.
November 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
In the morning I help pick up the dead and lay them in rows in a barn.
I search with the crowd .... not one of the company is washed to us alive;
November 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I search with the crowd .... not one of the company is washed to us alive;
I can but rush to the surf and let it drench me and freeze upon me.
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I can but rush to the surf and let it drench me and freeze upon me.
I cannot aid with my wringing fingers;
November 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I cannot aid with my wringing fingers;
I look where the ship helplessly heads end on .... I hear the burst as she strikes .. I hear the howls of dismay .... they grow fainter and fainter.
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I look where the ship helplessly heads end on .... I hear the burst as she strikes .. I hear the howls of dismay .... they grow fainter and fainter.
The tempest lulls and the moon comes floundering through the drifts.
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The tempest lulls and the moon comes floundering through the drifts.
The beach is cut by the razory ice-wind .... the wreck-guns sound,
November 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
The beach is cut by the razory ice-wind .... the wreck-guns sound,
Confused .... a pastreading .... another, but with darkness yet.
November 26, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Confused .... a pastreading .... another, but with darkness yet.
I turn but do not extricate myself;
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I turn but do not extricate myself;
Swiftly and out of sight is borne the brave corpse.
November 26, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Swiftly and out of sight is borne the brave corpse.
His beautiful body is borne in the circling eddies .... it 1s continually bruised on rocks,
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
His beautiful body is borne in the circling eddies .... it 1s continually bruised on rocks,
The slapping eddies are spotted with his blood .... they bear him away .... they roll him and swing him and turn him:
November 25, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The slapping eddies are spotted with his blood .... they bear him away .... they roll him and swing him and turn him:
He is baffled and banged and bruised .... he holds out while his strength holds out,
November 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
He is baffled and banged and bruised .... he holds out while his strength holds out,
Steady and long he struggles;
November 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Steady and long he struggles;
Will you kill the courageous giant? Will you kill him in the prime of his middle age?
November 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Will you kill the courageous giant? Will you kill him in the prime of his middle age?
What are you doing you ruffianly red-trickled waves?
November 25, 2025 at 2:49 PM
What are you doing you ruffianly red-trickled waves?