< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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POEM OF THE ROAD.


1.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.

2.Henceforth I ask not good-fortune — I am good-
fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more,
need nothing,
Strong and content, I travel the open road.

3.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.

4.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 filled with them, and I will fill them in return.

5.You road I travel and look around! I believe you
are not all that is here,
I believe that much unseen is also here.

(315)

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