The House by the Side of the Road

Sam Walter Foss wrote this delightful poem, as well as many others that speak to the soul. Aunt Esther has this poem hanging in her house and can recite it when bidden. It’s a simple, yet excellent, sentiment and one, I believe, for which we should all strive.

The House by the Side of the Road

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
in the peace 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 scorner’s seat,
Or 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 nor their tears –
Both parts of an infinite plan: –
Let me live in my 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 a 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 a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Blessings ~ houses by the side of the road ~ friends ~ Aunt Esther ~ the sky above~ the earth below ~ each and every one of us ~