Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Walt Whitman, Excerpt from “Song of the Open Road”

5

From this hour, freedom!

From this hour, I ordain myself loosed of limits and imaginary lines!

Going where I list—my own master, total and absolute,

Listening to others, and considering well what
they say,

Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,

Gently but with undeniable will divesting myself
of the holds that would hold me.

I inhale great draughts of air,

The east and the west are mine, and the north
and the south are mine.

I am larger than I thought!

I did not know I held so much goodness!

All seems beautiful to me,

I can repeat over to men and women, You have
done such good to me, I would do the same
to you.

I will recruit for myself and you as I go,

I will scatter myself among men and women as
I go,

I will toss the new gladness and roughness among
them;

Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me,

Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed,
and shall bless me.