Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman

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Walt Whitman (1891-1892), the great global poet of America celebrated democracy, nature, love, and friendship. He is honoured as a sage and a philosopher who inspired generations with his undying celebration of universal humanity that defeats both time and death. In ‘Song of the Open Road’ (the first part of which is given below), Whitman celebrates the joy and peace and wisdom that comes from travelling freely, on all kinds of paths, among all kinds of people, without plans or destinations or worries of any kind.

Song of the Open 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.

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.)

Walt Whitman