Happy

 This weekend is bringing me so much time to myself, to reflect, to ponder, and to enjoy poetry. 

Here's another: 

WHEN I HEARD AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY

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 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. 

1860

Whitman