ONE song, America, before I go, 
I’d sing, o’er all the rest, with trumpet sound, 
For thee—the Future. 
  
I’d sow a seed for thee of endless Nationality; 
I’d fashion thy Ensemble, including Body and Soul;
I’d show, away ahead, thy real Union, and how it may be accomplish’d. 
  
(The paths to the House I seek to make, 
But leave to those to come, the House itself.) 
  
Belief I sing—and Preparation; 
As Life and Nature are not great with reference to the Present only,
But greater still from what is yet to come, 
Out of that formula for Thee I sing.

Added: Feb 7 2004 | Viewed: 4971 times | Comments (0)

Poet: Walt Whitman
Poem: 28. One Song, America, Before I Go.
Volume: Leaves of Grass
- 20. Leaves of Grass
Year: Published/Written in 1900
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