— Walt Whitman: Make no puns

Make no puns
funny remarks
Double entendres
“witty” remarks
ironies
Sarcasms
Only that which
is simply earnest
meant, —harmless
to anyone’s feelings
—unadorned
unvarnished
nothing to
excite a
laugh
silence
silence
silence
silence
laconic
taciturn.

–Walt Whitman instructs himself in an 1855-56 notebook about the Second Edition of Leaves of Grass.

2 Comments
  • Cadouri
    Posted at 11:59h, 06 August

    I love literature and poetry, they’re pure art. I love this text, never heard of it before but yet one of my favorites now. Thanks for sharing!

  • terry
    Posted at 09:21h, 23 August

    Im not sure im patient enough to get that. If the end all is simplicity and being earnest , i like it

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