Debris

by Walt Whitman · 1860-1861
Published 01/07/1860

I UNDERSTAND your anguish, but I cannot help you,

I approach, hear, behold—the sad mouth, the look out of the eyes, your mute inquiry,

Whither I go from the bed I now recline on, come tell me;

Old age, alarmed, uncertain—A young woman's

      voice appealing to me, for comfort,

A young man's voice, Shall I not escape?

#aging #empathy #existential angst #helplessness #intergenerational #mortality #walt whitman

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