Not objecting to special revelations, considering a curl of smoke or a hair on the back of my hand just as curious as any revelation, Lads ahold of fire-engines and hook-and-ladder ropes no less to me than the gods of the antique wars, Minding their voices peal through the crash of destruction, Their brawny limbs passing safe over charrâd laths, their white foreheads whole and unhurt out of the flames; By the mechanicâs wife with her babe at her nipple interceding for every person born, Three scythes at harvest whizzing in a row from three lusty angels with shirts baggâd out at their waists, The snag-toothâd hostler with red hair redeeming sins past and to come, Selling all he possesses, traveling on foot to fee lawyers for his brother and sit by him while he is tried for forgery; What was strewn in the amplest strewing the square rod about me, and not filling the square rod then, The bull and the bug never worshippâd half enough, Dung and dirt more admirable than was dreamâd, The supernatural of no account, myself waiting my time to be one of the supremes,
The day getting ready for me when I shall do as much good as the best, and be as prodigious; By my life-lumps! becoming already a creator, Putting myself here and now to the ambushâd womb of the shadows.
A call in the midst of the crowd, My own voice, orotund sweeping and final.
Come my children, Come my boys and girls, my women, household and intimates, Now the performer launches his nerve, he has passâd his prelude on the reeds within.
Easily written loose-fingerâd chordsâ âI feel the thrum of your climax and close.
My head slues round on my neck, Music rolls, but not from the organ, Folks are around me, but they are no household of mine.