ウォルト・ホイットマンの手書きの原稿
Walt Whitman, Original manuscript for the “Calamus” poems 

The “Calamus” poems, first published in the third edition of Leaves of Grass (1860),  describe Whitman’s longing for the companionship and love of men. By treating the subject of love between men so boldly, these poems became some of the most infamous pieces of poetry in mid-19th century America.  Not only was the book banned in Boston and other places, it resulted in Whitman losing his job and suffering at the hands of critics.  Now, however, these poems are an essential part of American poetic history, and Whitman occupies a rightful place as one of the great visionaries of American letters.  Happy Banned Books week, Whitman!

この詩は『草の葉』第三版（一八六〇年）に収録されたが、男性同士の性愛を描写しているため、批評家に「猥褻」と思われて、ボストンで発禁本になった。ホイットマンは仕事を失って、多くの人に批判されたが、現在『草の葉』は「アメリカ自由詩の出発点」として永遠に歴史に残る。

For more photographs of the manuscript, click here.

アメリカの現代詩の父ワルト・ホイットマン（1819-1892）の眼鏡
The glasses of Walt Whitman (1819-1892), father of modern American poetry 

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Courtesy of poetsorg.

In honor of National Poetry Month 2012