Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, L. OF G.'S PURPORT, by WALT WHITMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

L. OF G.'S PURPORT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Not to exclude or demarcate, or pick out
Last Line: Draws sometimes close to me, as face to face.
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Not to exclude or demarcate, or pick out evils from their
formidable masses (even to expose them,)
But add, fuse, complete, extend -- and celebrate the
immortal and the good.

Haughty this song, its words and scope,
To span vast realms of space and time,
Evolution -- the cumulative -- growths and generations.

Begun in ripen'd youth and steadily pursued,
Wandering, peering, dallying with all -- war, peace, day
and night absorbing,
Never even for one brief hour abandoning my task,
I end it here in sickness, poverty, and old age.

I sing of life, yet mind me well of death:
To-day shadowy Death dogs my steps, my seated shape, and
has for years --
Draws sometimes close to me, as face to face.





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