On the last day of National Poetry Month, we hope you enjoy this poem by celebrated American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892).
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,
Done 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.)
National Poetry Month was introduced in 1996 and takes place each April. Organized by the Academy of American Poets, the celebration is a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.
Thanks to our Winter 2018 participant Juan Van Gelderen from Argentina for the cover photo.