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Walt Whitman’s Rulebook

Writer's picture: Alistair AppletonAlistair Appleton

In 1855, when he was 36, Whitman wrote this stirring manifesto for life. Feels just as relevant in 2019, when he’d be 200 years old.

“Walt Whitman, a kosmos, of Manhattan the son”

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body. Preface 1855 Edition of “Leaves of Grass”

I’d love to know your thoughts about Walt Whitman. Drop me a message with any thoughts, comments, questions, queries or insights that pop up while reading the blog. I’d love to hear from you!

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