< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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Leaves of Grass.
:I too am but a trail of drift and debris,
- I too leave little wrecks upon you, you fish-shaped island.
11. I throw myself upon your breast, my father,
- I cling to you so that you cannot unloose me,
- I hold you so firm, till you answer me something.
12. Kiss me, my father,
- Touch me with your lips, as I touch those I love,
- Breathe to me, while I hold you close, the secret of the wondrous murmuring I envy,
- For I fear I shall become crazed, if I cannot emulate it, and utter myself as well as it.
13. Sea-raff! Crook-tongued waves!
- O, I will yet sing, some day, what you have said to me.
14. Ebb, ocean of life, (the flow will return,)
- Cease not your moaning, you fierce old mother,
- Endlessly cry for your castaways—but fear not, deny not me,
- Rustle not up so hoarse and angry against my feet, as I touch you, or gather from you.
15. I mean tenderly by you,
- I gather for myself, and for this phantom, looking down where we lead, and following me and mine.
16. Me and mine!
- We, loose winrows, little corpses,
- Froth, snowy white, and bubbles,
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