So Long
TO conclude--I announce what comes after me;
I announce mightier offspring, orators, days, and then, for the
present, depart.
I remember I said, before my leaves sprang at all,
I would raise my voice jocund and strong, with reference to
consummations.
When America does what was promis'd,
When there are plentiful athletic bards, inland and seaboard,
When through These States walk a hundred millions of superb persons,
When the rest part away for superb persons, and contribute to them,
When breeds of the most perfect mothers denote America,
Then to me and mine our due fruition. 10
I have press'd through in my own right,
I have sung the Body and the Soul--War and Peace have I sung,
And the songs of Life and of Birth--and shown that there are many
births:
I have offer'd my style to everyone--I have journey'd with confident
step;
While my pleasure is yet at the full, I whisper, So long!
And take the young woman's hand, and the young man's hand, for the
last time.
I announce natural persons to arise;
I announce justice triumphant;
I announce uncompromising liberty and equality;
I announce the justification of candor, and the justification of
pride. 20
I announce that the identity of These States is a single identity
only;
I announce the Union more and more compact, indissoluble;
I announce splendors and majesties to make all the previous politics
of the earth insignificant.
I announce adhesiveness--I say it shall be limitless, unloosen'd;
I say you shall yet find the friend you were looking for.
I announce a man or woman coming--perhaps you are the one, (So long!)
I announce the great individual, fluid as Nature, chaste,
affectionate, compassionate, fully armed.
I announce a life that shall be copious, vehement, spiritual, bold;
I announce an end that shall lightly and joyfully meet its
translation;
I announce myriads of youths, beautiful, gigantic, sweet-blooded; 30
I announce a race of splendid and savage old men.
O thicker and faster! (So long!)
O crowding too close upon me;
I foresee too much--it means more than I thought;
It appears to me I am dying.
Hasten throat, and sound your last!
Salute me--salute the days once more. Peal the old cry once more.
Screaming electric, the atmosphere using,
At random glancing, each as I notice absorbing,
Swiftly on, but a little while alighting, 40
Curious envelop'd messages delivering,
Sparkles hot, seed ethereal, down in the dirt dropping,
Myself unknowing, my commission obeying, to question it never daring,
To ages, and ages yet, the growth of the seed leaving,
To troops out of me, out of the army, the war arising--they the tasks
I have set promulging,
To women certain whispers of myself bequeathing--their affection me
more clearly explaining,
To young men my problems offering--no dallier I--I the muscle of
their brains trying,
So I pass--a little time vocal, visible, contrary;
Afterward, a melodious echo, passionately bent for--(death making me
really undying;)
The best of me then when no longer visible--for toward that I have
been incessantly preparing. 50
What is there more, that I lag and pause, and crouch extended with
unshut mouth?
Is there a single final farewell?
My songs cease--I abandon them;
From behind the screen where I hid I advance personally, solely to
you.
Camerado! This is no book;
Who touches this, touches a man;
(Is it night? Are we here alone?)
It is I you hold, and who holds you;
I spring from the pages into your arms--decease calls me forth.
O how your fingers drowse me! 60
Your breath falls around me like dew--your pulse lulls the tympans of
my ears;
I feel immerged from head to foot;
Delicious--enough.
Enough, O deed impromptu and secret!
Enough, O gliding present! Enough, O summ'd-up past!
Dear friend, whoever you are, take this kiss,
I give it especially to you--Do not forget me;
I feel like one who has done work for the day, to retire awhile;
I receive now again of my many translations--from my avataras
ascending--while others doubtless await me; 70
An unknown sphere, more real than I dream'd, more direct, darts
awakening rays about me--So long!
Remember my words--I may again return,
I love you--I depart from materials;
I am as one disembodied, triumphant, dead.
poem by Walt Whitman
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Related quotes
Death used to announce itself in the thick of life but now people drag on so long it sometimes seems that we are reaching the stage when we may have to announce ourselves to death. It is as though one needs a special strength to die, and not a final weakness.
quote by Ronald Blythe
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Survival
Ill survive you, I will survive you
Well, its too late, I know, to change the way we go
From this day on I want to stay on
Now that Ive started learning
And the tides started turning
Well, its here I want to stay
Ill let the moon announce my arrival
To every eye that cares to see
Just working on the art of survival
Where do we go from here, where do we go from here
Im alive here, I can survive dear
Though the weather might change
From the wind to the rain
Well, my heart remains the same
Ill let the moon announce my arrival
To every eye that cares to see
Just working on the art of survival
Where do we go from here, where do we go from here
Looked out on a sea of trouble
And I tried to stall for awhile
Its so hard to answer every question
And its hard to protect your heart anymore
Ill let the moon announce my arrival (I am alive)
To every eye that cares to see
Just working on the art of survival (but I wonder)
Where do we go from here
Ill let the moon announce my arrival (I am alive)
To every eye that cares to see
Just working on the art of survival (but I wonder)
Where do we go from here
Ill let the moon announce my arrival (I am alive)
To every eye that cares to see
Just working on the art of survival (but I wonder)
Where do we go from here ...
song performed by by America
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Emotional Bullies
We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
With sensitivities we should question,
The need to protect and defend them.
Shame begets what shame gets to be 'gotten'.
In return.
What other lesson do we need to learn,
But 'that'?
And all lessons learned are together attached.
Something in our minds disconnected.
To trigger quick and snap!
We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
We should at least be maintaining our own dignity.
Self-respect.
And a proud identity.
Flaunted!
And undaunted by the implementation of those insecurities!
And who hasn't had those?
LIES!
If you live you have had those!
And please...
No debate with me do I invite,
On the topic of 'Which Side of Ignorance Is Right'
It is what it is.
So if that makes you uptight...
Go somewhere and backbite me.
I see the thought of it enlightens your eyes.
I'm sure your lips would prepare,
Something with venom..
If I called you a 'fool'.
Would that get you there any sooner?
We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
When are we going to come to challenge one another,
To overcome and defend the right to mend within us?
That is the real fear.
And that makes us all not want to come face to face,
With an ugliness we all see in ourselves.
And that takes work.
To self examine.
In the convenient fields of doubt.
With,
Initiative and desires unknown!
And hope with wishes knocked out of practiced.
As over rehearsed sorrows about who did who wrong...
Remains centerstage.
Provoked by new lines found on someone's cellphone.
'I just love the way drive.
With so much compassion.'
When are we going to come to challenge one another,
To overcome and defend the right to mend within us?
God knows...
What is on stage right now has long required re-writes.
With a consistent updating, scrub and polish.
'...I haven't been driving too long.
Infact, you are my second passenger.'
We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
And 'own up' to that which we do,
To reveal the same thoughts being shared.
But what is not there has been purposely kept away.
LOVE!
When never known,
Can not be there to share unconditionally.
It has to under conditions met,
Be shown.
With committment!
Desire.
Hot.
But not to overheat kept respect.
We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
Our own deliberating and limited intentions,
To free what it is that we don't want to feel.
It is not wanted!
Why is it there?
To free what it is that we don't want to feel.
And welcome what it is that we do,
Wish.
To feel.
We should at least be maintaining our own dignity.
Self-respect.
And a proud identity.
Flaunted!
Undaunted,
By the implementation of those insecurities!
And who hasn't had those to chase away?
Insecurities?
Emotional bullies.
Insecurities?
Emotional bullies.
Same 'thang'!
Get rid of 'em!
We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
Or an addicting unconsciousness,
That leaves us entrapped within our own barriers?
And a lot of paranoia has been known,
To be shown from that.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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What Is It that I Seek
Could I announce from a pulpit,
Travesties I disdain?
Within my consciousness that remains.
To inflict my personal conflicts...
With a revealing of my own insecurities,
I can not shake.
Why do I have a need from a pulpit,
To announce this to berate in a scolding.
And to what desired effect?
There has to be 'something' within me,
I have not been able to face.
There has to be 'something' within me,
An honesty has not graced...
That permits a self examination,
To thoroughly erase.
And what is it that I seek...
To continue to punish others,
For those mistakes I've made?
Is it my own acceptance?
Or my deceptions...
That will not from me go away.
And I need the assurance I am protected,
By my own creation.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Raquel
Raquel.
I am not well.
Raquel.
And if I was a bell,
I wish that you'd ring it.
And if I had something to tell
I could not unless I could sing it.
Raquel.
I am not well.
And if I was a ball,
I wish that you'd bounce it.
And if I give you a telephone call,
Oh baby, please don't announce it.
Don't announce it.
Raquel.
I am not well.
Raquel.
What is this feeling
that I'm not trying to squelch?
I don't know your last name,
I just know it's not Welch.
Raquel.
You always cast a spell.
And if I was a ghost,
I wish that you'd haunt me.
But what I'd really like the most
is baby, baby--that you want me.
What is this feeling
that I'm not trying to hide?
I feel no shame
but I feel no pride.
Raquel.
It's a color call from hell.
And if you had a brain,
I think that you'd diss me.
But if you was really insane,
Oh baby, baby--could you kiss me?
Could you kiss me?
Raquel.
I am not well.
Raquel.
Raquel.
I am unwell.
Raquel.
song performed by by Violent Femmes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Don't Embarrass Yourself With Those Assumptions
You've had your way!
Now why do I find you in mine?
You made it a point to announce my ignorance.
You made that clear,
In a mocking done at my expense.
You've had your way!
Now why do I find you in mine?
You took time to boast of those things you have.
Remember laughing at my possessions?
You referred to them as rags.
Remember I made attempts,
To share with you my experiences?
And you spent your time dismissing them.
To be with your colleagues.
And other cling on pretentious friends.
You've had your way!
Now why do I find you in mine?
You made it a point to announce my ignorance.
You made that clear,
In a mocking done at my expense.
Am I suppose to forgive and forget,
The agony you left I met?
Or are you that stupid to believe I am?
And my heart awaits for us to reconnect?
You must stop embarrassing yourself,
With those assumptions.
Please...
Don't embarrass yourself with those assumptions.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The night might be long, but whether you want it or not, the day will announce itself.
I Know For Me There's No Benefit
Why did you abandon my love,
And then announce it missing?
Then you called all your friends to tell them,
Not even a glance from me you are getting.
Why do you pretend and lie to your friends.
Why don't you tell them you're the reason we ended.
I know deep inside you have a love for me.
And I know you wish to control what can't be.
You wish to have it your way and that's it.
And I will not take anybody's,
'S' with an 'H' and a 'T'...not me!
Nor to moods or attitudes,
From another will I commit.
Not if I know there's no benefit.
I know deep inside you feel something there,
For me...
To be revealed,
For YOU to see.
Why did you abandon my love,
And then announce it missing?
You wish to have it your way and that's it.
And I will not take anybody's,
'S' with an 'H' and a 'T'...not me!
I'm not into that kind of play.
Not if I know there's no benefit.
Or a connection to my feelings meant.
Why should I bother,
When there is no love in it for me meant.
Why should I bother?
Why should I bother,
And I know for me there's no benefit.
Why should I bother?
Why should I bother,
When there is no love in it for me meant.
Why should I bother?
Why should I bother,
And I know for me there's no benefit.
Why should I bother?
Why should I bother,
When there is no love in it for me meant.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Among men and women, those in love do not always announce themselves with declarations and vows. But they are the ones who weep when you're gone. Who miss you every single night, especially when the sky is so deep and beautiful, and the ground so very cold.
quote by Alice Hoffman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It seems likely that many of the young who don't wait for others to call them artists, but simply announce that they are, don't have the patience to make art.
quote by Pauline Kael
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I think Superman should go on the Larry King show and announce that he would come back to life if people in all 50 states wanted him to.
quote by Dave Barry
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I don't have to announce all the women I've slept with.
quote by David Gest
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Today... The Thought of You Disgust Me to Tears
You are just not worthy,
Of my love and loyalty.
You dismiss my attempts,
To be totally devoted...
As something owed.
As if I was born to be attracted to you.
And you,
Happened to have been doing charity work.
With a decision you made to do me a favor.
You are just not worthy,
Of my patience I give with blind tolerance.
Others tried to convince me,
I made it too easy for you to use and abuse...
My inability to stop loving you.
Others tried to convince me,
You did nothing for me but treat me like a fool.
But the fool made in this scenerio is Y-O-U.
And you've proven that is if proud to announce it.
Well...
There is nothing left for you to announce.
No integrity left for you to save.
I use to think of you as being bold and brave.
Honest to a fault and inspiring.
Today...
The thought of you disgust me to tears.
Any picture I have of you,
Sitting high on a pedestal in my mind...
I seek to medicate to have you removed.
Anything to get me to feel I am cleansed.
The thought of ever being near you,
Embraced in a nakedness, exposed to show truth...
Has left me feeling cheap and dirty!
You disgust me to tears.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Today... The Thought of You Disgust Me to Tears
You are just not worthy,
Of my love and loyalty.
You dismiss my attempts,
To be totally devoted...
As something owed.
As if I was born to be attracted to you.
And you,
Happened to have been doing charity work.
With a decision you made to do me a favor.
You are just not worthy,
Of my patience I give with blind tolerance.
Others tried to convince me,
I made it too easy for you to use and abuse...
My inability to stop loving you.
Others tried to convince me,
You did nothing for me but treat me like a fool.
But the fool made in this scenerio is Y-O-U.
And you've proven that is if proud to announce it.
Well...
There is nothing left for you to announce.
No integrity left for you to save.
I use to think of you as being bold and brave.
Honest to a fault and inspiring.
Today...
The thought of you disgust me to tears.
Any picture I have of you,
Sitting high on a pedestal in my mind...
I seek to medicate to have you removed.
Anything to get me to feel I am cleansed.
The thought of ever being near you,
Embraced in a nakedness, exposed to show truth...
Has left me feeling cheap and dirty!
You disgust me to tears.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Put Them On A Poster To Hoist Up On A Rope
Get up!
Like you've been through it.
Get up!
To yourself prove it.
Get up...
And chase your troubles away.
Get up!
Like you've been through it.
Get up!
To yourself prove it.
Get up...
And chase your troubles away.
Singing sad blues,
Those songs have been sung!
Get up!
Like you've been through it.
Get up!
To yourself prove it.
Get up...
And chase your troubles away.
Singing sad blues,
Those songs have been sung!
With an overkill that's been long overdone.
Seek inside with faith you know that will overcome...
Those woes needing no more makeovers.
Put them on a poster to hoist up on a rope.
And announce to all you know...
You've-let -that go!
And getcha gitcha yo'self up!
Like you've been through it.
Get up!
To yourself prove it.
Get up...
And chase your troubles away.
Git-git-git get yourself up!
Like you've been through it.
Get up!
To yourself prove it.
Get up...
And chase your troubles away.
Singing sad blues,
Those songs have been sung!
With an overkill that's been long overdone.
Seek inside with faith you know that will overcome...
Those woes needing no more makeovers.
Seek inside with faith you know that will overcome...
Those woes needing no more makeovers.
Seek inside with faith you know that will overcome...
Those woes needing no more makeovers.
Singing sad blues,
Those songs have been sung!
Put them on a poster to hoist up on a rope.
And announce to all you know...
You've-let -that go!
Put them on a poster to hoist up on a rope.
Put them on a poster to hoist up on a rope.
Put them on a poster to hoist up on a rope.
And announce to all you know...
You've-let -that go!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Although it is generally known, I think it's about time to announce that I was born at a very early age.
quote by Douglas Horton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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There are not many who would announce their faults with a gong.
We will announce a new offering, where you can get a CA expert on your PC live, via video, on a range of topics about a product.
quote by Sanjay Kumar
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Around the World With Minerva
She would offer us crumpets.
Minerva Pinkston...
Once part of a jet set!
Holding up both hands to announce...
Her painted nails were wet!
She rambled on as if we were being tested,
To remember her travels to places...
And names of those of power she met!
When we first arrived at Minerva's front door!
Many thought she wore a mask...
Or her make up was done very poor!
Her long eyelashes
Made her top eyelids droop!
She had too much lipstick on her lips...
She could kiss lips consistently,
Of the bears who mooned her
Or a mesmerized passing moose.
With an instant wish to fly away...
Faster than a chased goose.
Minerva posed in the kitchen
And each of her seven rooms.
We made the mistake of stopping
In her wine cellar.
And she consumed more wine
We found ourselves outside...
To escape and leave wine fumes behind!
Getting fresh air was on our minds!
After we observed Minerva...
Minerva had the nerve,
To announce she had taken us on a tour.
Around the world with her!
As we stared and chatted on the stairs,
Of Minerva's veranda.
And if we had been first
Introduced to that moose...
Many of us sitting,
And staring at Minerva,
Would not try to hide...
The laughter slipping giggles,
That was begging,
To be freed
And let loose!
We closed our eyes and held our breath
When she would pass switching her fat...
Caboose!
Minerva Pinkston did not notice this at all...
As she flaunted with flair,
As if we weren't guest...
But photographers to catch,
Every nuance she managed
As she posed and patted...
Her sprayed bouffant hair!
Minerva didn't care.
We were there for Minvera...
And of this Minerva was aware!
She would offer us crumpets.
Minerva Pinkston...
Once part of a jet set!
Holding up both hands to announce...
Her painted nails were wet!
And when we were ready,
To leave Minerva's place...
Her smiling face
Began to crack like plaster.
And all there couldn't wait,
To vacate before tasting
Minerva's surprising and 'award' winning
Cake she said she baked!
Some were rude...
When they ran through the door!
And jumped like olympians,
Over the front gate!
And the screams of laughter heard...
Stopped Minerva's chirping to her caged birds!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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