Leaves of Grass (1860)/To a Pupil

by Walt Whitman

Layout 2

To a Pupil.

1.Is reform needed? Is it through you?
The greater the reform needed, the greater the Personality
you need to accomplish it.

2.You! do you not see how it would serve to have eyes,
blood, complexion, clean and sweet?
Do you not see how it would serve to have such a
body and Soul, that when you enter the crowd,
an atmosphere of desire and command enters
with you, and every one is impressed with your
personality?

3.O the magnet! the flesh over and over!
Go, mon cher! if need be, give up all else, and
commence to-day to inure yourself to pluck, reality,
self-esteem, definiteness, elevatedness,
Rest not, till you rivet and publish yourself of your
own personality.