To a Common Prostitute
by Walt Whitman

US poet, journalist and essayist. Best known for the poetry collection Leaves of Grass (1855, 1856, 1860 with another six editions in his lifetime). Other poetry includes Drum Taps (1865) and Sequel to Drum Taps (1866). Prose includes Specimen Days (1882) which includes an informal autobiography.

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To a Common Prostitute
by Walt Whitman

Be composed -be at ease with me -I am Walt Whitman, liberal and lusty as Nature,
Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you,
Not till the waters refuse to glisten for you and the leaves to rustle for
you, do my words refuse to glisten and rustle for you.

My girl I appoint with you an appointment, and I charge you that you make
preparation to be worthy to meet me,
And I charge you that you be patient and perfect till I come.

Till then I salute you with a significant look that you do not forget me.

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To a Common Prostitute by Walt Whitman