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Leaves of Grass (1891-92)
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BROADWAY.
| What hurrying human tides, or day or night! |
| What passions, winnings, losses, ardors, swim thy waters! |
| What whirls of evil, bliss and sorrow, stem thee! |
| What curious questioning glances—glints of love! |
| Leer, envy, scorn, contempt, hope, aspiration! |
Thou portal—thou arena—thou of the myriad long-drawn lines
and groups!
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(Could but thy flagstones, curbs, façades, tell their inimitable
tales;
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| Thy windows rich, and huge hotels—thy side-walks wide;) |
| Thou of the endless sliding, mincing, shuffling
feet! |
Thou, like the parti-colored world itself—like infinite, teeming,
mocking life!
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| Thou visor'd, vast, unspeakable show and lesson! |
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