As Toilsome I Wander'd

Walt Whitman

   AS TOILSOME I wander'd Virginia's woods,
   To the music of rustling leaves, kick'd by my feet, (for 'twas
         autumn,)
   I mark'd at the foot of a tree the grave of a soldier,
   Mortally wounded he, and buried on the retreat, (easily all could I
         understand;)
   The halt of a mid-day hour, when up! no time to lose--yet this sign
         left,
   On a tablet scrawl'd and nail'd on the tree by the grave,
   Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.
   Long, long I muse, then on my way go wandering;
   Many a changeful season to follow, and many a scene of life;
   Yet at times through changeful season and scene, abrupt, alone, or in
         the crowded street,                                          10
   Comes before me the unknown soldier's grave--comes the inscription
         rude in Virginia's woods,
   Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.

Next 10 Poems

• Walt Whitman : Ashes Of Soldiers
• Walt Whitman : Assurances
• Walt Whitman : Bathed In War's Perfume
• Walt Whitman : Beat! Beat! Drums!
• Walt Whitman : Beautiful Women
• Walt Whitman : Beginners
• Walt Whitman : Beginning My Studies
• Walt Whitman : Behavior
• Walt Whitman : Behold This Swarthy Face
• Walt Whitman : Brother Of All, With Genesrous Hand

Previous 10 Poems

• Walt Whitman : As The Time Draws Nigh
• Walt Whitman : As If A Phantom Caress'd Me
• Walt Whitman : As I Watche'd The Ploughman Ploughing
• Walt Whitman : As I Watch'd The Ploughman Ploughing
• Walt Whitman : As I Walk These Broad, Majestic Days
• Walt Whitman : As I Sat Alone By Blue Ontario's Shores
• Walt Whitman : As I Ponder'd In Silence
• Walt Whitman : As I Lay With Head In Your Lap, Camerado
• Walt Whitman : As Consequent, Etc.
• Walt Whitman : As At Thy Portals Also Death