Leaves of Grass (1882)/Youth, Day, Old Age, and Night

by Walt Whitman

YOUTH, DAY, OLD AGE AND NIGHT.

Youth, large, lusty, loving—youth full of grace, force, fascination,
Do you know that Old Age may come after you with equal grace, force, fascination?

Day full-blown and splendid—day of the immense sun, action, ambition, laughter,
The Night follows close with millions of suns, and sleep and restoring darkness.