The Walt Whitman Archive
Published Works
Books by Whitman
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A SIGHT IN CAMP IN THE DAY-BREAK GREY
AND DIM.
AND DIM.
1A SIGHT in camp in the day-break grey and dim,
As from my tent I emerge so early, sleepless,
As slow I walk in the cool fresh air, the path near by
the hospital tent,
the hospital tent,
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Three forms I see on stretchers lying, brought out
there, untended lying,
there, untended lying,
Over each the blanket spread, ample brownish woollen
blanket,
blanket,
Grey and heavy blanket, folding, covering all.
2Curious, I halt, and silent stand.
Then with light fingers I from the face of the nearest,
the first, just lift the blanket:
the first, just lift the blanket:
Who are you, elderly man so gaunt and grim, with well-
grey'd hair, and flesh all sunken about the eyes?
grey'd hair, and flesh all sunken about the eyes?
Who are you, my dear comrade?
3Then to the second I step—And who are you, my
child and darling?
child and darling?
Who are you, sweet boy, with cheeks yet blooming?
4Then to the third—a face nor child, nor old, very
calm, as of beautiful yellow-white ivory;
calm, as of beautiful yellow-white ivory;
Young man, I think I know you—I think this face of
yours is the face of the Christ himself;
yours is the face of the Christ himself;
Dead and divine, and brother of all, and here again he
lies.
lies.