Leaves of Grass

In a vision, the first-person speaker visits numerous people as they sleep at night: soldiers wounded on battlefields, newborn babies, married couples, a mother with her child, prisoners, murderers, and others. They all have different issues and worries. Those who are suffering are restless and sleep fitfully. The speaker dreams their dreams, and becomes them as he dreams. In that dream-state, he acquires companions who enjoy themselves, laughing as they walk joyfully. 

The speaker becomes a woman with her male lover. She also embraces the darkness, which then takes the place of her lover. The man and woman have sex as the woman is embraced by the darkness. The speaker becomes an old woman who is darning socks, and then a widow who cannot sleep. He becomes a shroud wrapping a body in a coffin. 

Several dream-sequences that involve conflict and defeat follow. First, a naked swimmer at sea struggles in turbulent water and drowns. Then comes a shipwreck in a storm at night; everyone on board dies. In the morning the speaker helps to retrieve the corpses. Next is the defeat of George Washington’s forces in the Battle of Brooklyn Heights (in August 1776). Washington is distressed as he watches his men die.