megamysterioso

All of my life, I've considered Walt Whitman to be the best poet at understanding and writing about the human condition. This to me is the best poem I've ever come across about addiction. It was written in 1860! Some things never change .

A Hand Mirror

Hold it up sternly--see this that it sends back (who is it? is it
you?)
Outside fair costume, within ashes and filth,
No more a flashing eye, no more a sonorous voice or springy
step,
Now some slave's eye, voice, hands, step,
A drunkard's breath, unwholesome eater's face, venerealee's
flesh,
Lungs rotting away piecemeal, stomach sour and cankerous,
Joints rheumatic, bowels clogged with abomination,
Blood circulating dark and poisonous streams,
Words babble, hearing and touch callous,
No brain, no heart left, no magnetism of sex;
Such from one look in this looking-glass ere you go hence,
Such a result to soon--and from such a beginning!

- Walt Whitman

Sidenote: Inlimbo--- you can relate to the "bowels clogged with abomination" part huh?? LOL

Seriously though, for those of you that love to read: I have never in my entire life found a book that inspires me more than "Leaves of Grass." I've been reading it for over 20 years now and each time I read from it, I somehow feel as if my whole world has been enlightened.

Walt- you rock and thank you!!!

equus

I get consumed with jealousy for those with incredible skill to convey meaning!! While I was swearing at the computer screen, in what must have been the 20th time I couldn't decide between a comma or full stop, I said I would rather have perfect English than £1 million. My office mate disagreed with me and said that if he had £1 mill the only english he would need was "Can you pass me.....".

My office mate was wrong - the above shows exactly why I'm confident perfect English would be worth far more than simply having lots of money!!

I'm all for enthusiasm about things that inspire and teach us, with a definate affection for 'old' stuff!!

megamysterioso

Isn't that the truth Ruth? (hey that rhymes lol) Yes, he definitely had a gift for the English language. The way he writes is very powerful, almost with total perfection really. I'm glad someone else here can appreciate this as much as I do .

sunshine003

I am not familiar with this book but I did enjoy the poem, it is so true. Perhaps I should get the book, I too, enjoy things that leave me feeling empowered, inspired, etc.

Thanks for sharing.

cwohio

thanks mega - i'd like to check that book out too!

megamysterioso

Please do Cwhio and Sunshine . He writes so much about love and has such a knack (sp??) for expressing human nature in a way that I've never read elsewhere. Truly a brilliant mind and gentle soul.