John Waters


Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone Are These

Roots and leaves themselves alone are these,
Scents brought to men and women
from the wild woods and pond-side,
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love, fingers that wind
around tighter than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds hid in the foliage
of trees as the sun is risen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you
on the living sea, to you O sailors!
Frost-mellow'd berries and Third-month twigs offer'd
fresh to young persons wandering out in the fields
when the winter breaks up,
Love-buds put before you and within you
whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms,
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them they will
open and bring form, color, perfume, to you,
If you become the aliment and the wet they will
become flowers, fruits, tall branches and trees.
-Walt Whitman (1819-1892)