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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Angkor, Cambodia
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The mighty, mighty mushroom
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Light show at the skatepark
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Sharp-dressed bug
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Is that a face in the sand?
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Hidden beauty in Thailand
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Bangkok, Thailand
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Carnival of Venice
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Remembering Krakatoa
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Diving into World Oceans Day
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Welcome to the Year of the Pig
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Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, New York
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White Desert National Park, Egypt
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The lemurs of Madagascar
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Bellissima!
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What are these creatures?
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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Mount Sopris, Colorado
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Marshland, Gloucester, MA
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Womens History Month
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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
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Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino County, California
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Lantern Festival
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Fiesta at Siesta
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Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
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Flag Day
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Great Backyard Bird Count
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Labor Day
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Ukrainian Independence Day
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Back to the nest