A Note on Walt Whitman

In 1855, when Walt Whitman was thirty-six, he was an unknown journalist who could not find a publisher. With no one willing to publish his little volume of twelve poems which he called Leaves of Grass, he decided to print it by hand. His hand printed book was more than a success. The poems were radically different in subject matter, language, and form.

Isn’t it encouraging that Whitman was rejected by publishers and he persevered and still believed in his craft enough to H-A-N-D P-R-I-N-T his original poems despite the “experts” telling him no?

What started as an experiment, would go on to have world-wide influence in what is now called free verse. Whitman’s recognition of “the glory of the commonplace” would go on to influence generations to come.

This story is adding inspiration to our week. Whatever dreams and goals you are pursuing for your own life, just remember that you have the be the person who believes in them the most. Good luck this week, we hope this story encourages you!

“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.

You must travel it by yourself.

It is not far. It is within reach.

Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know.

Perhaps it is everywhere - on water and land.”

Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass