Poem by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass. 24. Autumn Rivulets. 17. Laws for Creations

Laws for creations,
For strong artists and leaders, for fresh broods of teachers and
      perfect literats for America,
For noble savans and coming musicians.
All must have reference to the ensemble of the world, and the
      compact truth of the world,
There shall be no subject too pronounced—all works shall illustrate
      the divine law of indirections.

What do you suppose creation is?
What do you suppose will satisfy the soul, except to walk free and
      own no superior?
What do you suppose I would intimate to you in a hundred ways, but
      that man or woman is as good as God?
And that there is no God any more divine than Yourself?
And that that is what the oldest and newest myths finally mean?
And that you or any one must approach creations through such laws?

1. Leaves of Grass. 21. Drum-Taps. 35. How Solemn As One by One [Washington City, 1865]
2. Leaves of Grass. 30. Whispers of Heavenly Death. 5. Yet, Yet, Ye Downcast Hours
3. Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 7. The Pallid Wreath
4. Leaves of Grass. 32. From Noon to Starry Night. 9. Excelsior
5. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 11. The Wallabout Martyrs

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