Homeless Poets' Cafe

House by the Side of the Road

Samual Walter Foss
public domain 1899



THERE are hermit souls that live withdrawn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.

SERIOUS BUT NOT DESPERATE

Caprured from my first blog entry

Saturday, February 01, 2003:

Don't you just love technology?

While I was editing out my physical stuff, I came across a bundle of un-used vintage post cards circa 1930's. I rarely throw anything away, yet I never seem to have anything of interest to anyone other than myself. I found stamps from Bermuda (Miss Bermuda 1980) things like that. These re-discoveries sat me down to ponder the good, the constructive, and the many re-surfacing in-sights that one reviews as they drift beyond their 50th year. Hmm; just what do you do with all of the trivia, wives tales, superstitions, fears, Oh; and in addition, those wonderful words of wisdom thoughtfully provided by grandparents and good friends. Then I remembered that I had found BLOGGER and just filed it in my favorites not being able, at the time, to think that I had anything to say, until I recalled that, I converse with myself frequently, a responsive conversation is not mandatory. Then while on-line one rainy morning I thought that I should edit my FAVORITES list...I re-discovered Blogger and here I am just blabbing on Blogger...feel free to blabber back! JOHNICE // 9:11 AM blogger.com