252. By Broad Potomac’s Shore. Whitman, Walt. 1900. Leaves of Grass

Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900.

252. By Broad Potomac’s Shore

1 BY broad Potomac’s shore—again, old tongue!
(Still uttering—still ejaculating—canst never cease this babble?)
Again, old heart so gay—again to you, your sense, the full flush spring returning;
Again the freshness and the odors—again Virginia’s summer sky, pellucid blue and silver,
Again the forenoon purple of the hills,	5
Again the deathless grass, so noiseless, soft and green,
Again the blood-red roses blooming.

2 Perfume this book of mine, O blood-red roses!
Lave subtly with your waters every line, Potomac!
Give me of you, O spring, before I close, to put between its pages!	10
O forenoon purple of the hills, before I close, of you!
O smiling earth—O summer sun, give me of you!
O deathless grass, of you!