He achieved international acclaim during the course of his career, but probably had as many detractors as he did fans. More often, he worked as a printer, a clerk, or a nurse he was chronically poor, but managed to interject culture (he loved opera) and travel into his life. Though his formal education ended with elementary school, Whitman was an educator at several points in his life. Walt Whitman (1819 - 1892) is primarily known for a collection of poems called Leaves of Grass, which he completely revised at least five times during the course of his life and which appeared in print in at least three different editions. Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me. Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me I will toss the new gladness and roughness among them I will scatter myself among men and women as I go I will recruit for myself and you as I go I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine. Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.

Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, Listening to others, and considering well what they say, Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute, įrom this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines, Strong and content, I travel the open road. Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, Henceforth I ask not good-fortune-I myself am good fortune

The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose. Ask for this YDP anthology at your favorite bookstore or order it online today!Īfoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,

The open road