“Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road.Healthy, free, the world before me.The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose.Henceforth, I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune.Henceforth, I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.”

American poet of the mid-19th century, Whitman is best known for his groundbreaking collection *Leaves of Grass*, which redefined free verse and celebrated democracy, individuality, and the human experience. His work blends raw lyricism with unflinching observations of life, labor, and nature, making him a cornerstone of American literature.