Keeper of America
Walt Whitman was healer and caregiver
during Civil War
was huge hearted
in a heartless war.
His poetry in "Drum Taps" captured
pain, carnage, beauty, history,
and bravery of war.
His was an unrivaled tenderness.
He was old man
who always had
pencils, paper, small change, kindness,
for dying and battered sons.
“Drum Taps” his memorable
recounting the body count,
both blue and gray.
His greatest work of words.
Steve Heins
……………………
Walter "Walt" Whitman died at the age of 72 on March 26th, in 1892. Four days after his death, he was buried in his tomb at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden, New Jersey.
"I bequeathed myself to the dirt, to grow from the grass I love;
If you want me again, look for me under your boot-soles.
You will hardly know who I am, or what I mean;
But I shall be good health to you, nonetheless,
And filter and fiber your blood.
Failing to fetch me at first, keep encouraged;
Missing me one place, search another;
I stop somewhere, waiting for you."