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Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself

Location

Granite Prospect

Date

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Time

3:00 PM - 6:30 PM

The Walt Whitman Initiative's annual open public reading of Walt Whitman's celebrated poem.

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September 13 @ 3:00 pm 6:30 pm

The Walt Whitman Initiative’s annual “Song of Myself” Marathon returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday, September 13, celebrating it’s 22nd year of the Yawp. The Marathon is an open public reading of Walt Whitman’s celebrated poem, led by Walt Whitman Initiative president  Karen Karbiener.

Everyone is welcome to listen, and we hope you’ll also consider reading and/or performing one of the 52 sections of this life- and self-affirming epic. We encourage you to be creative: visit Walt Whitman Initiative’s YouTube channel or website to enjoy recordings of past live and in-person “Song of Myself” Marathons.

Sign up as a reader here by September 6 indicating your favorite/preferred three sections of “Song of Myself” (using the 1891-’92 edition’s breakdown of 52 sections; you’ll find them presented in several languages at the University of Iowa WhitmanWeb). Please reach out to songofmyselfmarathon@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Experience Whitman’s Robust American Love and the restorative power of poetry!

The 52 sections are performed sequentially without an intermission. Audience attendees are invited to sit on the Granite Prospect steps facing readers, while enjoying views of Manhattan Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, and East River.

The podium has a microphone that is connected to two speakers to amplify the recitations. A limited number of chairs will be available for those for whom sitting on the steps is difficult or uncomfortable.

For event updates and announcements, subscribe to our email and socials (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). Also check our Alerts & Event Updates page. Please note this event is subject to change to weather or other extenuating circumstances.

Register as a Reader!

Walt Whitman Song of Myself

© Darrell Ford, Walt Whitman Initiative

© Walt Whitman Initiative

© Walt Whitman Initiative

© Wendy Katzman

© Walt Whitman Initiative

Walt Whitman Marathon photo Paula Berg

© Paula Berg

© Paula Berg

© Walt Whitman Initiative

© Wendy Katzman

© Wendy Katzman

© Wendy Katzman

© Wendy Katzman

© Walt Whitman Initiative

© Walt Whitman Initiative