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Leaves of Grass (1881-82)
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AH POVERTIES, WINCINGS, AND SULKY RETREATS.
AH poverties, wincings, and sulky retreats, |
Ah you foes that in conflict have overcome me, |
(For what is my life or any man's life but a conflict with foes, the
old, the incessant war?)
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You degradations, you tussle with passions and appetites, |
You smarts from dissatisfied friendships, (ah wounds the sharpest
of all!)
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You toil of painful and choked articulations, you meannesses, |
You shallow tongue-talks at tables, (my tongue the shallowest of
any;)
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You broken resolutions, you racking angers, you smother'd ennuis! |
Ah think not you finally triumph, my real self has yet to come
forth,
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It shall yet march forth o'ermastering, till all lies beneath me, |
It shall yet stand up the soldier of ultimate victory. |
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