Walt Whitman

As Nearing Departure

1  AS nearing departure,
As the time draws nigh, glooming, a cloud,
A dread beyond, of I know not what, darkens me.
 
2  I shall go forth,
I shall traverse The States—but I cannot tell whither
        or how long;
Perhaps soon, some day or night while I am singing,
        my voice will suddenly cease.
 
3  O book and chant! must all then amount to but
        this?
Must we barely arrive at this beginning of me?…
        And yet it is enough, O soul!
O soul! we have positively appear’d—that is enough.

Songs Before Parting

#AmericanWriters

Other works by Walt Whitman...



Top