Poem by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 56. Old Age's Lambent Peaks

The touch of flame—the illuminating fire—the loftiest look at last,
O'er city, passion, sea—o'er prairie, mountain, wood—the earth itself,
The airy, different, changing hues of all, in failing twilight,
Objects and groups, bearings, faces, reminiscences;
The calmer sight—the golden setting, clear and broad:
So much i' the atmosphere, the points of view, the situations whence
      we scan,
Bro't out by them alone—so much (perhaps the best) unreck'd before;
The lights indeed from them—old age's lambent peaks.

1. Leaves of Grass. 24. Autumn Rivulets. 13. Out from Behind This Mask [To Confront a Portrait]
2. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. Fancies at Navesink. 1. The Pilot in the Mist
3. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 32. Life
4. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 40. The Voice of the Rain
5. Leaves of Grass. 5. Calamus. 16. Behold This Swarthy Face

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