Leaves of Grass (1855) is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman. Among the poems in the collection are "Song of Myself," "I Sing the Body Electric," and in later editions, Whitman's elegy to the assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd." Whitman spent his entire life writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death.Leaves of Grass has its genesis in an essay called The Poet by Ralph Waldo Emerson, published in 1845, which expressed the need for the United States to have its own new and unique poet to write about the new country's virtues and vices. Whitman, reading the essay, consciously set out to answer Emerson's call as he began work on the first edition of Leaves of Grass. Whitman, however, downplayed Emerson's influence, stating, "I was simmering, simmering, simmering; Emerson brought me to a boil". On May 15, 1855, Whitman registered the title Leaves of Grass with the clerk of the United States District Court, Southern District of New Jersey, and received its copyright. The first edition was published in Brooklyn at the Fulton Street printing shop of two Scottish immigrants, James and Andrew Rome, whom Whitman had known since the 1840s, on July 4, 1855. Whitman paid for and did much of the typesetting for the first edition himself. The book did not include the author's name, instead offering an engraving by Samuel Hollyer depicting the poet in work clothes and a jaunty hat, arms at his side. Early advertisements for the first edition appealed to "lovers of literary curiosities" as an oddity. Sales on the book were few but Whitman was not discouraged.The first edition was very small, collecting only twelve unnamed poems in 95 pages. Whitman once said he intended the book to be small enough to be carried in a pocket. "That would tend to induce people to take me along with them and read me in the open air: I am nearly always successful with the reader in the open air. "About 800 were printed, though only 200 were bound in its trademark green cloth cover. The only American library known to have purchased a copy of the first edition was in Philadelphia. The poems of the first edition, which were given titles in later issues, were "Song of Myself," "A Song For Occupations," "To Think of Time," "The Sleepers," "I Sing the Body Electric," "Faces," "Song of the Answerer," "Europe: The 72d and 73d Years of These States," "A Boston Ballad," "There Was a Child Went Forth," "Who Learns My Lesson Complete?", and "Great Are the Myths."The title Leaves of Grass was a pun. "Grass" was a term given by publishers to works of minor value and "leaves" is another name for the pages on which they were printed.Whitman sent a copy of the first edition of Leaves of Grass to Emerson, the man who had inspired its creation. In a letter to Whitman, Emerson said "I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom America has yet contributed." He went on, "I am very happy in reading it, as great power makes us happy."

Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809. Poe was a poet, author, and literary critic. He is one of the leading authors of the Romantic period. His tales of the macabre have delighted and scared readers. He is considered the founder of the detective/fiction genre and contributed to the popularity of science fiction. This collection contains Memoir, Poems of Later Life, Poems of Manhood, Scenes from Politian, Poems of Youth, Doubtful Poems, and Prose Poems. There are also three essays: The Poetic Principle, The Philosophy of Composition, and Old English Poetry.

Here in one volume are the complete texts of two of the greatest epic poems in English literature, each a profound exploration of the moral problems of God's justice. They demonstrate Milton's genius for classicism and innovation, narrative and drama-and are a grand example of what Samuel Johnson called his "peculiar power to astonish." Edited by Christopher Ricks With a New Introduction by Dr. Susanne Woods

In 2011, Sarah Kay performed her poem “B” at the TED conference in Long Beach, California to standing ovations. Now the video of that performance has been forwarded to mothers and daughters (and fathers and sons) all over the world. Originally written in 2007, “B” is a thank you note, a love letter, a wish, a promise, a confession, and a secret. With beautiful illustrations by Sophia Janowitz, “B” is finally available in this whimsical, magical book. This book is the perfect gift for every mother and every daughter. Short, touching and lovingly illustrated, it is a family tradition waiting for you to start.

Originally published in 1932, this book has become one of the most beloved classics of our time and has sold millions of copies in this country.

A phenomenal #1 bestseller that has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly three years, this memoir traces Maya Angelou's childhood in a small, rural community during the 1930s. Filled with images and recollections that point to the dignity and courage of black men and women, Angelou paints a sometimes disquieting, but always affecting picture of the people—and the times—that touched her life.

Nakia R. Laushaul poetically gathers myths and misconceptions about life that threaten to hold the heart captive into her first bound collection, THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY&PROSE. She expresses her views of The Truth about Me and You, Love, God, and Life in powerful poems that make the truth look painfully simple and prose that tenderly draws you into the world as she sees it. THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY&PROSE beautifully fuses together and creates light after tackling difficult and often times taboo topics. Out of pain and anger comes healing. Out of despair and disappointment comes hope. Out of the darkness of lies shines the truth.

"She is electric guitar string legs Wrapped around juke joint smoke Dancing on Love Street in black sweat" -Pharaoh Robinson Sexsensual is a poetically erotic, powerful, thought provoking journey of fantasy. Taking readers on an extraordinary erotic mental journey that masterfully weaves poetry into sexual fantasy, creativity, love, romance, sensuality, and mental stimulation to create what is called, Sexsensual. Pharaoh Robinson dares to recreate "Black Love" through prose that explores the essence of black male and female sexuality. This promising, fresh and eclectic masculine voice is what Black erotica and literature has been missing. Pharaoh Robinson is truly one-of-a-kind representing a side of masculinity that is pleasurable and mentally intoxicating. He will transport you to a new world of fantasy past the normal limits of imagination and reality. "This is only his first book and Pharaoh Robinson delivers one of the most mind-catching erotic bodies of work ever written." - Indigo Blue, TwitterMugshot.com "His poetry is illegal access into the inhibitions of my mind. I love his poetic violation." -Marsha E, Tagged.com fan

This classic large print title is printed in 16 point Tiresias font as recommended by the Royal National Institute for the Blind

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.