One’s-Self I Sing

by


One's-Self I Sing (1867) is the first poem for the final phase of Leaves of Grass. It celebrates himself, and addresses how the body is inextricably tied to Whitman's image of the soul.
ONE’S-SELF I sing—a simple, separate Person; 
Yet utter the word Democratic, the word En-masse. 
  
Of Physiology 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.
  
Of Life immense in passion, pulse, and power, 
Cheerful—for freest action form’d, under the laws divine, 
The Modern Man I sing.

Walt Whitman portrait, 1848 by W.J. Black


Enjoy reading Whitman's poem, Song of Myself, and our useful Song of Myself Study Guide.


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