WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv'd <br /> with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night <br /> for me that follow'd; <br /> And else, when I carous'd, or when my plans were accomplish'd, still <br /> I was not happy; <br /> But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, <br /> refresh'd, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn, <br /> When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in the <br /> morning light, <br /> When I wander'd alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, <br /> laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise, <br /> And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way <br /> coming, O then I was happy; <br /> O then each breath tasted sweeter--and all that day my food nourish'd <br /> me more--and the beautiful day pass'd well, <br /> And the next came with equal joy--and with the next, at evening, came <br /> my friend; <br /> And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly <br /> continually up the shores, <br /> I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to <br /> me, whispering, to congratulate me, 10 <br /> For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover in <br /> the cool night, <br /> In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined <br /> toward me, <br /> And his arm lay lightly around my breast--and that night I was happy.<br /><br />Walt Whitman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/when-i-heard-at-the-close-of-the-day/
