THE POET OF LOVE

One of my favorite poets is Walt Whitman. I was fortunate enough to find an illustrated, slip-cased copy of LEAVES OF GRASS at my used book store. This replaces my well-worn, paperback with the missing cover. It is a large edition with fine black and white lithographs and in quite good condition, and it was only $4.00! In the introduction, Whitman's masterpiece is referred to as a love letter to every reader. It is a proposal to the individual's love and respect of self, as in
"Song of Myself"-
I CELEBRATE MYSELF, and sing myself,
And what I assume, you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.