Ah could I lay me down in this long grass

And close my eyes and let the quiet wind

Blow over me—I am so tired so tired

Of passing pleasant places! All my life

Following Care along the dusty road

Have I looked back at loveliness and sighed;

Yet at my hand an unrelenting hand

Tugged ever and I passed. All my life long

Over my shoulder have I looked at peace

And now I fain would lie in this long grass

And close my eyes.

Yet onward!

Cat-birds call

Through the long afternoon and creeks at dusk

Are guttural. Whip-poor-wills wake and cry

Drawing the twilight close about their throats.

Only my heart makes answer. Eager vines

Go up the rocks and wait; flushed apple-trees

Pause in their dance and break the ring for me;

Dim shady wood-roads redolent of fern

And bayberry that through sweet bevies thread

Of round-faced roses pink and petulant

Look back and beckon ere they disappear.

Only my heart only my heart responds.

Yet ah my path is sweet on either side

All through the dragging day—sharp underfoot

And hot and like dead mist the dry dust hangs—

But far oh far as passionate eye can reach

And long ah long as rapturous eye can cling

The world is mine: blue hill still silver lake

Broad field bright flower and the long white road

A gateless garden and an open path:

My feet to follow and my heart to hold.