when Whitman wrote, "I sing the body electric"

I know what he
meant
I know what he
wanted:

to be completely alive every moment
in spite of the inevitable.

we can't cheat death but we can make it
work so hard
that when it does take
us

it will have known a victory just as
perfect as
ours.

Touch me,
it doesn't matter where
and it doesnt matter how
I need to know I'm still alive
so someone touch me now
Shake my hand and say hello
or pat me on the back
kiss me on the cheek
that I may feel this sense I lack
slap my face and pull my hair
make me bleed I just don't care
dig your nails into my skin
so I can feed this need within
I've been numb for such a time
that even pain would be sublime
so touch me, touch me now
I don't care where, I don't care how

A MYRIAD curious fishes,
Tiny and pink and pale,
All swimming north together
With rhythmical fin and tail--

A mountain surges among them,
They dart and startle and float,
Mere wiggling minutes of terror,
Into that mountain's throat.

When the hot sunlight meets the shadows of the night,
When the sea foam kisses and lingers on the sandy shore,
When the dry leaves lay with the sodden grass below,
I smile to myself, because it's how the world works.

When the darkest clouds throw down their rainy assault,
When the icy wind brings chills and steals hope,
When the last tree gnarls,  and dies alone,
I smile to myself, because it's how the world works.

When the eyes of the masses are opened and enlightened,
When the thoughts that turn to words are turned to deeds,
When the deeds of one may benefit all,
I laugh to myself, because I've changed the world.