Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ROOTS AND LEAVES THEMSELVES ALONE, by WALT WHITMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ROOTS AND LEAVES THEMSELVES ALONE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Roots and leaves themselves alone are these,
Last Line: Flowers, fruits, tall branches and trees.
Subject(s): Nature


Roots and leaves themselves alone are these,
Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods and pondside,
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love, fingers that wind around
tighter than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds hid in the foliage of
trees as the sun is risen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you on
the living sea, to you O sailors!
Frost-mellow'd berries and Third-month twigs offer'd fresh
to young persons wandering out in the fields when the
winter breaks up,
Love-buds put before you and within you whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms,
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them they will open
and bring form, color, perfume, to you,
If you become the aliment and the wet they will become
flowers, fruits, tall branches and trees.





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