No Labor-Saving Machine

No labor-saving machine,
Nor discovery have I made,
Nor will I be able to leave behind me any wealthy bequest to found
hospital or library,
Nor reminiscence of any deed of courage for America,
Nor literary success nor intellect; nor book for the book-shelf,
But a few carols vibrating through the air I leave,
For comrades and lovers.

About Walt Whitman

American poet, essayist, and journalist. His work was controversial in its time for its overt sensuality and celebration of the human form.

More poems by Walt Whitman

View all Walt Whitman poems →

More Identity & Self poems

View all Identity & Self poems →