One of my favorite pieces of poetry



THERE are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,

In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths

Where highways never ran-

But let me live by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.



Let me live in a house by the side of the road

Where the race of men go by-

The men who are good and the men who are bad,

As good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat

Nor hurl the cynic's ban-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.



I see from my house by the side of the road

By the side of the highway of life,

The men who press with the ardor of hope,

The men who are faint with the strife,

But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,

Both parts of an infinite plan-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.


I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,

And mountains of wearisome height;

That the road passes on through the long afternoon

And stretches away to the night.

And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice

And weep with the strangers that moan,

Nor live in my house by the side of the road

Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,

Where the race of men go by-

They are good, they are bad,

they are weak, they are strong,

Wise, foolish - so am I.

Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,

Or hurl the cynic's ban?

Let me live in my house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.


Samual Walter Foss public domain 1899

Comments

oh, oh, i always wondered where that phrase came from. i found it on an apron, "I will live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to all." is what it said. i wrote it out and drew a little house on the paper and taped it beside my apron hook. what a delight to read the whole poem. thank you.
xoxo
please mooch from me if we win the house. please come all the time and walk on the beach with me while we watch our children frolic in the waves. let's do that this summer even if we DON'T win. man, i miss you girl!! here are some dates that would work to get together. this weekend any night! (as a fam). or monday, tuesday 28-29th, friday 1st. or feb 4th-5th.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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