Metaphor for the intimate, sensuous contact of nature with his body; the wind is personified as a lover.

He remains present in the everyday world, in the earth beneath us.

His presence is eternal, awaiting recognition by future readers. By you.

Hidden ideas waiting to grow.

A symbol/metaphor: nature challenges or judges him; represents instinct, wildness, and freedom.

The power of words.

Nature seems to dare him; playful challenge from the world.

Metaphor for vitality, abundance, life force.

Sexual or creative energy rising.

Nature and human contact are all part of his being; everything he touches becomes sacred.

Sex is natural, not shameful; as inevitable as death.

Metaphor for universal connection and order in nature.

An ancient, essential truth.

Cosmos; Whitman calls himself universal, connected to everything.

Indicates innocence or lack of awareness; the young men are passive or unconcerned with the observer.

Whitman flips conventional beauty standards: personal preference or inner attraction matters more than outward appearance.

To swim or immerse in water; suggests freedom, innocence, and connection with nature.

Radical idea: death is not tragic but a fortunate transformation.

Even if death exists, it only leads into more life; a cyclical, non-final view of death.

Transpire = emerge or rise from.

Grass grows from the bodies of the dead.

Old terms for different ethnic and social groups: 1. Kanuck: Canadian 2. Tuckahoe: A term for people from the American South 3. Cuff: A racist old term for a Black man The point is that the grass grows the same for all.

A universal symbol; grass reveals the same truth everywhere, regardless of race or class.

A metaphor, grass as a divine token or reminder (“remembrancer”), as if left by God with His “name in the corners.

Nature acting freely, without restriction.

In abeyance means “temporarily set aside.” Whitman sets aside conventional religion and formal education to speak freely.

Emphasizes the poet’s connection to the American land; a theme of belonging.

A single blade of grass; Whitman uses it as a symbol of nature’s simplicity and unity.

Archaic spelling of loaf: to relax, be idle, rest without hurry.

Metaphor for the intimate, sensuous contact of nature with his body; the wind is personified as a lover.

A small wetland bird; part of Whitman’s nature imagery tied to vulnerability and wildness.

A metaphor elevating the natural scent of the body above religious ritual.

“Tag” means a small piece or fragment.

Intense, inspired revelation breaking through obstacles.

Raw, primal expression.

Delicate fragments.

He remains present in the everyday world, in the earth beneath us.

His presence is eternal, awaiting recognition by future readers. By you.

A symbol/metaphor: nature challenges or judges him; represents instinct, wildness, and freedom.

Hidden ideas waiting to grow

The power of words.

Nature seems to dare him; playful challenge from the world.

Metaphor for vitality, abundance, life force.

Sexual or creative energy rising.

Abstract philosophy; contrasted with lived experience.

Nature and human contact are all part of his being; everything he touches becomes sacred.

Sex is natural, not shameful; as inevitable as death.

Metaphor for universal connection and order in nature.

An ancient, essential truth.

Cosmos; Whitman calls himself universal, connected to everything.

Indicates innocence or lack of awareness; the young men are passive or unconcerned with the observer.

Whitman flips conventional beauty standards: personal preference or inner attraction matters more than outward appearance.

The house represents social status and separation from nature.

To swim or immerse in water; suggests freedom, innocence, and connection with nature.

Used metaphorically to mean every tiny part of oneself.

Radical idea: death is not tragic but a fortunate transformation.

Even if death exists, it only leads into more life; a cyclical, non-final view of death.

Transpire = emerge or rise from.

Grass grows from the bodies of the dead.

Old terms for different ethnic and social groups: 1. Kanuck: Canadian 2. Tuckahoe: A term for people from the American South 3. Cuff: A racist old term for a Black man The point is that the grass grows the same for all.

A universal symbol; grass reveals the same truth everywhere, regardless of race or class.

A metaphor, grass as a divine token or reminder (“remembrancer”), as if left by God with His “name in the corners.”

Nature acting freely, without restriction.

In abeyance means “temporarily set aside.” Whitman sets aside conventional religion and formal education to speak freely.

Emphasizes the poet’s connection to the American land; a theme of belonging.

A single blade of grass; Whitman uses it as a symbol of nature’s simplicity and unity.

Archaic spelling of loaf: to relax, be idle, rest without hurry.