Despairing Cries By Walt Whitman

Despairing cries float ceaselessly toward me, day and night,
The sad voice of Death–the call of my nearest lover, putting forth, alarmed, uncertain,
This sea I am quickly to sail, come tell me,
Come tell me where I am speeding–tell me my destination.

I understand your anguish, but I cannot help you,
I approach, hear, behold–the sad mouth, the look out of the eyes, your mute inquiry,
Whither I go from the bed I now recline on, come tell me;
Old age, alarmed, uncertain–A young woman’s voice appealing to me, for comfort,
A young man’s voice, Shall I not escape?