A Poem for Friday

A $3 copy of Leaves of Grass found me in a little shop by the marsh. Walt Whitman- what a sweetheart. I like this poem. Especially considering that he wasn't particularly fond of sleeping with women...

(ROSETTI, Venus Verticordia 1864-68)

TO A COMMON PROSTITUTE

BE composed—be at ease with me—I am Walt Whitman, liberal and lusty as Nature;
Not till the sun excludes you, do I exclude you;
Not till the waters refuse to glisten for you, and the leaves to rustle for you, do my words refuse to glisten and rustle for you.
My girl, I appoint with you an appointment—and I charge you that you make preparation to be worthy to meet me,
And I charge you that you be patient and perfect till I come.
Till then, I salute you with a significant look, that you do not forget me.