Tuesday, September 16, 2025

"Song of the Open Road"



 From the Song of the Open Road


Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.


Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good fortune,

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,

Down with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,

Strong and content, I travel the open road.


The earth, that is sufficient, 

I do not want the constellations any nearer,

I know they are very well where they are,

I know they suffice for those who belong to them.


(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens,

I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go,

I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them,

I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return.)


Walt Whitman




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