I did not write this poem (for those of you who know I write poetry) but I found it 20 years ago and it has become part of my life philosophy. Admittedly, sometimes I have to remind myself of this. THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD He was a friend to man, and he lived In a house by the side of the road -- Homer There are hermit souls that live withdrawn In the place of their self-content; There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, In a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths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 scorners seat, Or hurl the cynics 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 nor their 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. But 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 -- Its here 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 scorners seat, Or hurl the cynics ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road And be a friend to man.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 04:37:38 +0000
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