Leaves of Grass (1881-82)


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ROOTS AND LEAVES THEMSELVES ALONE.

ROOTS and leaves themselves alone are these,
Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods and
         pond-side,
 


View Page 104
View Page 104

Breast-sorrel and pinks of love, fingers that wind around tighter
         than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds hid in the foliage of trees as the
         sun is risen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you on the living
         sea, to you O sailors!
Frost-mellow'd berries and Third-month twigs offer'd fresh to
          young persons wandering out in the fields when the winter
         breaks up,
Love-buds put before you and within you whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms,
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them they will open and
         bring form, color, perfume, to you,
If you become the aliment and the wet they will become flowers,
         fruits, tall branches and trees.
 
 
 
 
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