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Thursday, March 27, 2014

I bequeath myselt to the dirt



Walt Whitman (1819-1892) closes his Song of Myself (1881) as follows . . .


I bequeath myself 
to the dirt 
to grow from the grass I love,
If you want me again 
look for me under your bootsoles.
You will hardly know 
who I am 
or what I mean,
But I shall be 
good health to you 
nevertheless,
And filter and fibre your blood.
Failing to fetch me at first 
keep encouraged,
Missing me one place 
search another,
I stop some where 
waiting for you.