Walt Whitman was born May 31, 1819, which means he would have been 194 today. Sometimes, when I see photos of him, I actually think he looks like he's 194, living the simple life in Portland or something. It would be silly to say that Breaking Bad has renewed my interest in WW, but I must admit I have pulled out my copy of Leaves of Grass, gearing up for the finale starting in July. (SO excited!)
Meantime, here's a great 36-second snippet from a wax cylinder recording of what is thought to be Whitman's voice reading four lines from the poem "America."
America: center of equal daughters, equal sons, All, all alike endear'd, grown, ungrown, young or old, Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich, Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love, A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother, Chair'd in the adamant of Time.