Leaves of Grass (1860)
|
| WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name
had been received with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that fol- lowed; |
| And else, when I caroused, or when my plans were
accomplished, still I was not happy; |
| But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of
perfect health, refreshed, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn, |
| When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and
disappear in the morning light, |
| When I wandered alone over the beach, and, undress-
ing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise, |
| And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover,
was on his way coming, O then I was happy; |
| O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day
my food nourished me more—And the beautiful day passed well, |
| And the next came with equal joy—And with the
next, at evening, came my friend; |
)
|
| And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters
roll slowly continually up the shores, |
| I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands,
as directed to me, whispering, to congratulate me, |
| For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the
same cover in the cool night, |
| In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face
was inclined toward me, |
| And his arm lay lightly around my breast—And that
night I was happy. |