“I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles”
— Walt Whitman
Simplified Meaning:
When someone says that they will become part of the soil to grow into the grass they love, it means they believe in going back to nature after they die. They see death as a way to return to the earth and help new life grow. Think of a plant that withers away but its seeds fall into the dirt, and from those seeds, new plants sprout. If you're looking for them after they're gone, you should think of them as being part of the earth beneath your feet. For example, imagine a person who spends their life gardening and finds great joy in plants and flowers. When they die, they might be buried in a garden they loved. Over time, their body will break down and help nourish the soil, allowing more plants to grow. In this way, they become a part of the very earth they tended to. This view can help people feel more connected with nature and less afraid of dying, seeing it as a way to continue the cycle of life. It teaches us to appreciate where we come from and where we will go, reminding us that life and death are both natural parts of the world.
