Song+of+Myself+by+Walt+Whitman-Period+2

(From http://www.princeton.edu/~batke/logr/log_026.html) Song of Myself 1 I CELEBRATE myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass. My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air, Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same, I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, Hoping to cease not till death. Creeds and schools in abeyance, Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten, I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard, Nature without check with original energy.

52 ... I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yaws over the roofs of the world. ... I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles. You will hardly know who I am or what I mean, But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, And filter and fibre your blood. Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged, Missing me one place search another, I stop somewhere waiting for you.

Paraphrase & Transcendental Elements: He is looking to become one of nature. He loves himself and celebrates himself. He thinks that everyone's soul is connected and is waiting for everyone to join as one in nature because everyone becomes nature eventually. Connects with nature. Being who you are.