|
Leaves of Grass (1881-82)
contents
| previous
| next
TO A CERTAIN CIVILIAN.
DID you ask dulcet rhymes from me? |
Did you seek the civilian's peaceful and languishing rhymes? |
Did you find what I sang erewhile so hard to follow? |
Why I was not singing erewhile for you to follow, to understand—
nor am I now;
|
(I have been born of the same as the war was born, |
The drum-corps' rattle is ever to me sweet music, I love well the
martial dirge,
|
With slow wail and convulsive throb leading the officer's funeral;) |
What to such as you anyhow such a poet as I? therefore leave my
works,
|
And go lull yourself with what you can understand, and with piano-
tunes,
|
For I lull nobody, and you will never understand me. |
contents
| previous
| next
|
| |