SMALL THE THEME OF MY CHANT by WALT WHITMAN

Small the theme of my Chant, yet the greatest -- namely,
One's-Self -- a simple, separate person. That, for
the use of the New World, I sing.
Man's physiology complete, from top to toe, I sing. Not
physiognomy alone, nor brain alone, is worthy for the
Muse; -- I say the Form complete is worthier far. The
Female equally with the Male, I sing.
Nor cease at the theme of One's-Self. I speak the word of
the modern, the word En-Masse.
My Days I sing, and the Lands -- with interstice I knew of
hapless War.
(O friend, whoe'er you are, at last arriving hither to
commence, I feel through every leaf the pressure of
your hand, which I return.
And thus upon our journey, footing the road, and more than
once, and link'd together let us go.)

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...