# By Broad Potomac’s Shore explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The speaker addresses the Potomac shore and the returning spring, invoking the natural beauty of Virginia—the sky, hills, grass, and roses—and asking them to infuse his book with their essence before he closes it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Celebration of Nature and the Universe

The chapter revels in the sensory details of spring—the sky, hills, grass, and roses—and seeks to preserve them within the book.

### Death and Immortality

The mention of 'before I close' and the desire to capture the eternal 'deathless grass' suggests a meditation on mortality and lasting legacy.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker who addresses the shore, the old tongue, and the spring, seeking to imbue his book with nature's elements.

## Key lines

> By broad Potomac’s shore, again old tongue, (Still uttering, still ejaculating, canst never cease this babble?)

Once more by the wide Potomac, the speaker questions his own incessant speech, wondering if it will ever stop.

_The speaker reflects on his own relentless expression, set against the backdrop of the Potomac._

> Again the deathless grass, so noiseless soft and green, Again the blood-red roses blooming.

Once more the immortal grass appears, silent and soft, and the deep red roses are in bloom.

_Nature's eternal and vivid elements are highlighted as recurring symbols of life and beauty._

> Perfume this book of mine O blood-red roses! Lave subtly with your waters every line Potomac!

Let the blood-red roses scent my book, and let the Potomac's waters gently wash over every line.

_The speaker implores the roses and river to infuse his writing with their essence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/by-broad-potomac-s-shore
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters