Poetry for the Soul: Song of the Open Road, Part 1 by Walt Whitman (1856).

Poetry is like food for our soul and can become a co-traveler for the road ahead. Please enjoy :)

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Song of the Open Road, Part 1 by Walt Whitman (1856).

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.)

Food for thought:

What is this long brown path before us, as we begin the journey?

If you could imagine any outcome for yourself, what would it be?

What does it mean to you to have the earth be sufficient and to not want the constellations any nearer?

Warmly,

Anny

References

Chavis, G. G., & Weisberger, L. L. (Eds.). (2003). The healing fountain: Poetry therapy for life's journey. North Star Press of St. Cloud.