As Adam, Early in the Morning

As Adam, Early in the Morning - context Summary

Published in 1867

Published in the 1867 edition of Leaves of Grass, this short poem frames Whitman as a bodily, open presence addressing the reader directly. It urges physical contact and removes shame or fear about the body, reflecting Whitman’s broader celebration of corporeality and the interconnectedness of people. The corporal invitation functions as both personal greeting and democratic gesture, consistent with themes across his postwar work.