Leaves of Grass, Part 286 summary
Part 286 of 358 · Book 5: Calamus · 1 min to read the part
In A Carol Closing Sixty-Nine, the speaker sums up continuing joy, hope, and devotion to God, life, nature, freedom, poetry, and the land. Though the body is old, poor, and paralyzed, inner warmth, steady faith, and loving friends remain central to this closing song.
What happens
- The speaker introduces a closing song that repeats earlier expressions of joy and hope.
- The speaker addresses God, life, nature, freedom, poetry, and a beloved land whose regions remain united.
- The speaker contrasts a failing body with a cheerful heart, surviving inner fire, unchanged faith, and loving friends.
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In this part
What to notice
The closing line places steady faith beside human affection. It ends the account of bodily decline with what remains strong.
Quick check
What does the speaker say remains unextinguished?
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