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
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Alpine marmots at Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
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A willowy welcome to spring
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Paradise, found
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We did not invent this, honest
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Lantern Festival
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An ancient sailing tradition takes to the water
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Let’s have a ball
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Earth at Perihelion
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Hoisting a flag for seafarers
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Atop the roof of Africa
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National Moth Week
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Why you should thank a nurse today
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Burrowing owls
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Coming home to roost
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That s quite a schnoz, baby tapir
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Cherry blossom season in Tokyo
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Here, fishy!
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National Moon Day
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Pantaleu
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International Polar Bear Day
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A national icon
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A long path to freedom
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Tough turf
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Hiding in plain sight
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Peel Castle on St. Patrick’s Isle with the Isle of Man in the background
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International Moon Day
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Where is this gorgeous peak?
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Ancient storage in the Grand Canyon
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Look to the north sky tonight for the Perseids
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Twas a night just like tonight