If you feel inclined to lounge on the lawn today, we encourage you to crack open a copy of ‘Leaves of Grass,’ the life’s work of American poet Walt Whitman, whose birthday is May 31. When ‘Leaves of Grass’ was first released in 1855 it was considered controversial for its imagery of sexuality among other wide-ranging topics. Expressed as a form of free verse without rhyme and with ever-changing meter and rhythm, Whitman’s style was highly personal, but also expansive, meant to reflect the limitless possibilities of Americans and the United States itself. He spent years revising and adding to the compilation of poems and today is regarded as one of the most important of American poets. He once said, "Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you."
Leaves of Grass
Today in History
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Taking the scenic route to Sturgis
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Arbor Day
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Get the bear facts
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Let’s talk fossils
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Diwali
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A star blows a bubble
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Venture into a prehistoric gallery of art
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Christmas Eve
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Sleep tight, little hedgehog
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Keep shining
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Jeju Island, South Korea
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Valentines Day
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Burns Night
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A dramatic view of Sicily
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Jöriseen lakes in the Silvretta Alps, Switzerland
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It s National Mushroom Month!
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All Rhodes lead to the beach
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Westerheversand Lighthouse
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Greece celebrates its independence
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Indigenous living
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An avian predator built for the snow
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A crested partridge
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World Bee Day
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Apple trees in spring, Germany
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Happy Mother s Day
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Darwin s Arch
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Where the glow of the holidays lingers
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International Beaver Day
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In the Most Serene Republic
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High seas commerce