Natural speed with tone please ! I have to show my students what it is to read with intention ;)
I'd prefer an American accent but any will do !
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
I know I am solid and sound,
To me the converging objects of the universe perpetually flow,
All are written to me, and I must get what the writing means.
I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul,
I am the poet of the woman the same as the man,
I chant the chant of difference or pride,
I show that size is only development.
I moisten the roots of all that has grown.
I hear the sound I love, the sound of the human voice,
I hear all sounds running together, combined,
Sounds of the city and sounds out of the city, sounds of the day and night.
I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contain'd,
I stand and look at them long and long.
I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,
I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.
I understand the large hearts of heroes,
The courage of present times and all times,
I am the man, I suffered, I was there.
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Leaves of Grass, 1855
Yes, of course this should be read by an American.