The book dramatizes the last months of Walt Whitman's life based on the verbatim transcription of conversations between the famous poet and his intimate friend and secretary Horace Traubel. It shows Walt Whitman's humor, cheerfulness, and love in the midst of the struggle with his terminal illness and demonstrates the perhaps greatest lesson that his great being could teach us: an unconditional acceptance of everything – good and bad – that life and death can bring.

From 'Good-Bye My Fancy'(Act II)

HORACE
So, have you made an outing with your chair today?

WALT
Ah yes, it is just as if we were made for each other this chair and me! Yes, I have been out – to my favorite companion – the river – was right down to the water's edge – the tide high and flowing strong – watched it as it flowed a long while, a long while. It is a delicious going, resting – and the view over the waters – the big city there – the splashing ferryboats as they go! It was so fine! So full! I wanted to follow it over to the west!
(Pause.)
But I have had a very bad day of it – very bad – all the symptoms of another spell –- everything but the spell itself – but am better now, much better – since you came in and hung your hat on the bedpost.

HORACE
What's the trouble?

WALT
I am in a bad way. Belly, bladder, catarrh – my brain, physical brain – all are in –
(Stumbling over word.)
discomfortableation.
(HORACE laughs; then WALT too.)

HORACE
Let us call a doctor.

WALT
Don't get a doctor. I think of it this way, you know, that if the doctors come, I shall not only have to fight the disease but fight them.

HORACE
You are stubborn, Walt. Why don't you listen to us?

WALT
Of course you fellows will do as you think best – you do generally – I am in your hands. Yet I would have you always lean to the side of mercy – don't oppress me with doctors, nurses, medicaments. I am near enough dead as it is. No man housed up as I am could expect to hold his ground against old age. I do not hide the facts from myself.

HORACE
But that doesn't worry you. A man who isn't afraid of life isn't afraid of death.

WALT
(Fervently.) No indeed. I do not worry. I am not afraid. The fact that I am consciously staring death in the face doesn't make me less cheerful. Even death has its advantages – and death has its tomorrow.
(Kindly, serenely.)
I like to think it over and over again with Epictetus – I have often said it to you, "What is good for thee, O nature, is good for me!” That is the foundation on which I build. It is the source of my great peace.