Beginning Of My Studies

BEGINNING my studies, the first step pleas'd me so much, The mere fact, consciousness--these forms--the power of motion, The least insect or animal--the senses--eyesight--love; The first step, I say, aw'd me and pleas'd me so much, I have hardly gone, and hardly wish'd to go, any farther, But stop and loiter all the time, to sing it in extatic songs.

Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass.