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1819–1892

Once I Pass'd Through a Populous City

Walt Whitman

Once I pass'd through a populous city imprinting my brain for future use with its shows, architecture, customs, traditions, Yet now of all that city I remember only a woman I casually met there who detain'd me for love of me, Day by day and night by night we were together — all else has long been forgotten by me, I remember I say only that woman who passionately clung to me,

Again we wander, we love, we separate again, Again she holds me by the hand, I must not go, I see her close beside me with silent lips sad and tremulous.

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Once I Pass'd Through a Populous City · Walt Whitman · Poetry Cove