J.P.'s review
Leaves of Grass: The First (1855) Edition by Walt Whitman
Another title I'm forever dipping into.
There are many editions of LEAVES; the 1892 'deathbed' edition (Whitman was knocking on Heaven's door when he was editing it) is one I've never been able to finish, mainly because it's just so. . .voluminous. Many poems for the ages there, but just as much dead wood, too, which always bogs me down.
This first, 1855 edition---this is my favorite. I call it the rock n' roll edition. Here, you'll find the poems---in their unadulterated, original versions---that set English-language poetry on its ear. "Song of Myself" in its earliest incarnation is my favorite.
Whitman was a brilliant poet, but a crappy self-editor. Truth be told? He blue-pencilled some of these poems to death in later versions of his book. Jack Kerouac once said about writing: "First thought, best thought." Too bad the Good Gray Poet from Mickle Street wasn't around to hear it.
It could've helped him immeasurably.
Whitman never surpassed ...more
There are many editions of LEAVES; the 1892 'deathbed' edition (Whitman was knocking on Heaven's door when he was editing it) is one I've never been able to finish, mainly because it's just so. . .voluminous. Many poems for the ages there, but just as much dead wood, too, which always bogs me down.
This first, 1855 edition---this is my favorite. I call it the rock n' roll edition. Here, you'll find the poems---in their unadulterated, original versions---that set English-language poetry on its ear. "Song of Myself" in its earliest incarnation is my favorite.
Whitman was a brilliant poet, but a crappy self-editor. Truth be told? He blue-pencilled some of these poems to death in later versions of his book. Jack Kerouac once said about writing: "First thought, best thought." Too bad the Good Gray Poet from Mickle Street wasn't around to hear it.
It could've helped him immeasurably.
Whitman never surpassed ...more
Great review, JP
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the feedback.
