WALT WHITMAN 
Walt Whitman, being born of plain 
Yeoman stock, and having a name, 
Which, being illuminated in history, 
An appellation that has become literary, 
Was born at West Hills, Long Island, 
Thirty miles from New York City, not a man 
As he has become, but a loving baby, 
One who was watched by his mother daily. 
Hence, this is the being upon whom we shall speak 
a person of biographical, intellectual treat. 
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The clothes of Whitman were mainly home-spun 
Because he was poor, a poverty working son. 
And, that books were scarce during his time, 
That they were not often bought for a dime, 
He read the annual copy of the almanac 
Through the long winter evenings is a fact. 
On the pages of this annual publication 
He received a great deal of education; 
For, that he learned what he could, 
His mind became educated, for he understood. 
Being quite young, his parents moved him to Brooklyn, 
ere, on going to school, he made boyish sins. 
But this, dear reader, we can easily look over, 
For he, while being at school, was not a loafer. 
On the other hand, he was very ambitious 
Having those qualities of a person magnanimous, 
Whereupon he taught his mind like an academy, 
Never letting his deep thinking become weary; 
And, that he had a philosophical mind that perceived, 
It was not very long before much knowledge he 
received. 
Here, as a working lad, he became a lawyer's office boy; 
For, that he was diligent, he worked rather than played 
with toys, 
Also becoming a compositor of the Long Island Patriot 
While people enjoyed that which he taught. 
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