Leaves of Grass

Although i don't usually read poems, i happened to read one worth sharing. This one's by the American philosopher poet Walt Whitman.


Whoever you are holding me now in hand,
Without one thing all will be useless,
I give you fair warning before you attempt me further,
I am not what you supposed, but far different.
Who is he that would become my follower?
Who would sign himself a candidate for my affections?
The way is suspicious, the result uncertain, perhaps destructive,
You would have to give up all else, I alone would
expect to be your sole & exclusive standard,
Your novitiate would even then be long & exhausting,
The whole past theory of your life & all conformity to the lives around you would have to be abandoned,
Therefore release me now before troubling yourself
any further, let go your hand from my shoulders,
Put me down and depart on your way.


From "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman.