Leaves of Grass (1860)/To a Common Prostitute

by Walt Whitman

Layout 2

To a Common Prostitute.

 

1.Be composed—be at ease with me—I am Walt
Whitman, liberal and lusty as Nature,
Not till the sun excludes you, do I exclude you,
Not till the waters refuse to glisten for you, and the
leaves to rustle for you, do my words refuse to
glisten and rustle for you.

2.My girl, I appoint with you an appointment—and I
charge you that you make preparation to be
worthy to meet me,
And I charge you that you be patient and perfect till
I come.

3.Till then, I salute you with a significant look, that
you do not forget me.