Great poem that perhaps can be explained a bit?

Question: Great poem that perhaps can be explained a bit!?

Walt Witman (from "Song of the Open Road"
AFOOT and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose!.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune—I myself am good fortune;
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Strong and content, I travel the open road!.

What do you think this poem is about and what do you think the "open road" represents!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Certainly this poem is on the surface about freeing oneself from the surroundings and going on the open road, with life's opportunities ahead!.

But the word "afoot" leads me to suspect there might be a metapoetic element!. Poems are written in metrical feet, and Whitman might be referencing this!. This poem is like an open road, there is no fixed rhythm or rhyme scheme!. Thus Whitman might be remarking on how much opportunity the "free verse" form affords him!.

I might just be reading too much into it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

the open road is life! the poet is trying to say she is a confident person who feels she doesnt need luck to be succesful!. when she says i myself am good fortune, she means her skills will bring her the rewards of lifeWww@QuestionHome@Com

The unshakeable happiness of freedom, the man who has liberated himself philosophically from the shackles of society, the endless possibities of a life before a young man!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Dude, obviously the poem is about the express lane at the shop 'n save!. Walt was a single guy, he shopped light!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

the road least traveled for few travel it which would make it openWww@QuestionHome@Com