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1819–1892

When I Read the Book

Walt Whitman

When I read the book, the biography famous, And is this then ( said I ) what the author calls a man's life? And so will some one when I am dead and gone write my life? ( As if any man really knew aught of my life,

Why even I myself I often think know little or nothing of my real life, Only a few hints, a few diffused faint clews and indirections I seek for my own use to trace out here. )

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When I Read the Book · Walt Whitman · Poetry Cove