Nothing New

The great writers, one piece at a time.

Walt Whitman · Leaves of Grass

Poem 22 of 382 · Inscriptions

Poets to Come

— ✻ —

Poets to come! orators, singers, musicians to come! Not to-day is to justify me and answer what I am for, But you, a new brood, native, athletic, continental, greater than before known, Arouse! for you must justify me.

I myself but write one or two indicative words for the future, I but advance a moment only to wheel and hurry back in the darkness.

I am a man who, sauntering along without fully stopping, turns a casual look upon you and then averts his face, Leaving it to you to prove and define it, Expecting the main things from you.

Receive Walt Whitman one poem at a time, every morning.
Subscribe →