j u n k h o t s m a r t a s s

Birthday

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to
     you.

I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of
     summer grass.
My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this
     soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same,
     and their parents the same,
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death.