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Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone

 ROOTS and leaves themselves alone are these; 
Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods, and from the pond-side, 
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love—fingers that wind around tighter than vines, 
Gushes from the throats of birds, hid in the foliage of trees, as the sun is risen; 
Breezes of land and love—breezes set from living shores out to you on the living
 sea—to
 you, O sailors!
Frost-mellow’d berries, and Third-month twigs, offer’d fresh to young persons
 wandering
 out in the fields when the winter breaks up, 
Love-buds, put before you and within you, whoever you are, 
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms; 
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them, they will open, and bring form, color,
 perfume, to
 you; 
If you become the aliment and the wet, they will become flowers, fruits, tall blanches and
 trees.






Book: Reflection on the Important Things