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1819–1892

The Commonplace

Walt Whitman

The commonplace I sing; How cheap is health! how cheap nobility! Abstinence, no falsehood, no gluttony, lust; The open air I sing, freedom, toleration,

( Take here the mainest lesson — less from books — less from the schools,) The common day and night — the common earth and waters, Your farm — your work, trade, occupation, The democratic wisdom underneath, like solid ground for all.

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The Commonplace · Walt Whitman · Poetry Cove