Facing West From California's Shores

Walt Whitman

   FACING west, from California's shores,
   Inquiring, tireless, seeking what is yet unfound,
   I, a child, very old, over waves, towards the house of maternity, the
         land of migrations, look afar,
   Look off the shores of my Western Sea--the circle almost circled;
   For, starting westward from Hindustan, from the vales of Kashmere,
   From Asia--from the north--from the God, the sage, and the hero,
   From the south--from the flowery peninsulas, and the spice islands;
   Long having wander'd since--round the earth having wander'd,
   Now I face home again--very pleas'd and joyous;
   (But where is what I started for, so long ago?                     10
   And why is it yet unfound?)

Index + Blog :

Poetry Archive Index | Blog : Poem of the Day