The most important poem of the forefather of American poetry. The first poem of the renowned collection Leaves of Grass and the one that made Walt Whitman known to the world.

A celebration of the individual, the nation, and spiritual potential; a poem for America that gives space to all the wronged, the despised, the marginal, the oppressed, and the different. "The greatest poem written by an American," as stated by the famous American poet John Berryman, and the one that influenced countless poets around the world. At the time it was published (1855), it served as a proposition for what it means to be American. It articulated an aesthetic/ideological framework that reinforced the notion of national identity while simultaneously connecting it to a universal horizon.

In this edition, the reader has something unique at their disposal: the first edition of the poem from 1855 and the last one from 1891-92. Thus, they can compare the same poem at two different points in time and see how the young and unknown poet expresses themselves poetically versus the recognized and aged one. They also have, side by side with the Greek translation, the English text, allowing them to follow the correspondences if they wish. In addition, there is an introduction by the translator, comments, a chronology, and bibliography that complete a unique edition for Greece and the rest of the world.

Contents

Introduction

Chronology

Suggested bibliography

Song of myself (1855) / Τραγούδι του εαυτού μου (1855)

Song of myself (1891-92) / Τραγούδι του εαυτού μου (1891-92)

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