WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv’d with plaudits in the
	capitol,
	still it was not a happy night for me that follow’d; 
And else, when I carous’d, or when my plans were accomplish’d, still I was not happy; 
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, refresh’d, singing,
    inhaling
	the
	ripe breath of autumn, 
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in the morning light, 
When I wander’d alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, laughing with the cool
    waters,
	and
	saw the sun rise,
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way coming, O then I was
    happy; 
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my food nourish’d me more—and the
    beautiful
	day pass’d well, 
And the next came with equal joy—and with the next, at evening, came my friend; 
And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the
    shores,
	
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to me, whispering, to
	congratulate
	me,
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover in the cool night, 
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined toward me, 
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy.

Added: on April 18th, 2006 at 6:31 AM | Viewed: 2973 times | Comments (1)

Poet: Walt Whitman
Poem: 10. When I heard at the Close of the Day.
Volume: Leaves of Grass
- 3. Calamus
Year: Published/Written in 1900

Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, When I heard at the Close of the Day., has received one comment so far. Click here to read it, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Walt Whitman with others on the American Poems poetry forum!