ON JOURNEYS THROUGH THE STATES

On journeys through the States we start,

(Ay, through the world – urged by these songs,

Sailing henceforth to every land – to every sea;)

We, willing learners of all, teachers of all, and lovers of all.

We have watch’d the seasons dispensing themselves, and passing on,

We have said, Why should not a man or woman do as much as the

Seasons, and effuse as much?

We dwell a while in every city and town;

We pass through Kanada, the north-east, the vast valley of the

Mississippi, and the Southern States;

We confer on equal terms with each of The States,

We make trial of ourselves, and invite men and women to hear;

We say to ourselves, Remember, fear not, be candid, promulge the body

                                     And the Soul;

Dwell a while and pass on – be copious, temperate, chaste, magnetic,

And what you effuse may then return as the seasons return,

And may be just as much as the seasons.

Walt Whitman