Facing West from California’s Shores

FACING west, from California's shores,
Inquiring, tireless, seeking what is yet unfound,
I, a child, very old, over waves, towards the house of 
 maternity, the land of migrations, look afar,
Look off the shores of my Western Sea—the circle 
 almost circled;
For, starting westward from Hindustan, from the vales 
 of Kashmere,
From Asia—from the north—from the God, the sage, 
 and the hero,
From the south—from the flowery peninsulas, and the 
 spice islands;
Long having wander'd since—round the earth having 
 wander'd,
Now I face home again—very pleas'd and joyous;
(But where is what I started for, so long ago?
And why is it yet unfound?)