Walt Whitman

We Two Boys Together Clinging

We Two Boys Together Clinging - context Summary

Published in Leaves of Grass

Published in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman’s short poem celebrates intense male companionship and youthful freedom. It sketches two boys who travel, work, fight, love, and flout social rules together, conveying physical intimacy, shared risk, and a defiant joy in experience. The poem reflects Whitman’s own close friendships and articulates a democratic bodily solidarity that challenges conventional restraints while reveling in communal, transgressive adventure.

Read Complete Analyses

WE two boys together clinging, One the other never leaving, Up and down the roads going—North and South excursions making, Power enjoying—elbows stretching—fingers clutching, Arm’d and fearless—eating, drinking, sleeping, loving, No law less than ourselves owning—sailing, soldiering, thieving, threatening, Misers, menials, priests alarming—air breathing, water drinking, on the turf or the sea-beach dancing, Cities wrenching, ease scorning, statutes mocking, feebleness chasing, Fulfilling our foray.

default user
PoetryVerse just now

Feel free to be first to leave comment.

8/2200 - 0