Leaves of Grass
Leaves of Grass was one of the first books I read on my journey into transcendental literature during high school. I've always loved the lines from this poem, and the poet holds a special place in my heart both for his talent and for the conversations I've had about him and his work. One of my favorite high school teachers, Dwenna Nelson, introduced me to the book and I think of her whenever I read it. My most cringiest joke turned up in a conversation we were having about transcendentalists, in which I said "I'm Thoreau-ly impressed by your Whit, man!" and I haven't lived it down since.