Excelsior by Walt Whitman

Who has gone farthest? for I would go farther,

And who has been just? for I would be the most just person of the

earth,

And who most cautious? for I would be more cautious,

And who has been happiest? O I think it is I--I think no one was ever

happier than I,

And who has lavish'd all? for I lavish constantly the best I have,

And who proudest? for I think I have reason to be the proudest son

alive--for I am the son of the brawny and tall-topt city,

And who has been bold and true? for I would be the boldest and truest

being of the universe,

And who benevolent? for I would show more benevolence than all the

rest,

And who has receiv'd the love of the most friends? for I know what it is to receive the 

passionate love of many friends,

And who possesses a perfect and enamour'd body? for I do not believe

any one possesses a more perfect or enamour'd body than mine,

And who thinks the amplest thoughts? for I would surround those

thoughts,

And who has made hymns fit for the earth? for I am mad with 

devouring ecstasy to make joyous hymns for the whole earth. 

Mother Night by James Weldon Johnson

 

 

Eternities before the first-born day, 

Or ere the first sun fledged his wings of flame, 

Calm Night, the everlasting and the same, 

A brooding mother over chaos lay. 

And whirling suns shall blaze and then decay, 

Shall run their fiery courses and then claim 

The haven of the darkness whence they came; 

Back to Nirvanic peace shall grope their way. 

 

So when my feeble sun of life burns out, 

And sounded is the hour for my long sleep, 

I shall, full weary of the feverish light, 

Welcome the darkness without fear or doubt, 

And heavy-lidded, I shall softly creep 

Into the quiet bosom of the Night. 

 

 

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