House

This page is for my new Poet Friend Janet Ritchie, Gods Typist.

Instead of using one of her awesome poems I decided to use one that I've always loved. This poem was sent to my wife and me in 1977 after we let some people who were traveling through town use of our bathroom. They had their mother with them and the mother had an accident. They didn't want to go to a gas statin so stopped at the first house they thought looked the best. The young girl explained what happened and we told them that they were more than welcome to use our bathroom. After many thanks, they continued on their journey. About a week later we recieved a Thank You card and letter in the mail. Also included was the poem below. I stll have that letter today.

Painting above, "English Cottage" by Paul Landry,

Courtesy of Snow Goose Art Gallery.

Click the Credits Button below and pay them a visit.

"He was a friend to man, and lived in a house by the side of the road."

~Homer

"The House By The Side Of The Road"

There are Hermet Souls that live withdrawn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 a 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 highway of life,

The men who press with the ardor of hope,

The men who are faint with strife.

But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears-

Both parts of an infinate 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 I still 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.

~By Sam Walter Foss~

Live your life the best you ken,

For you'll never know when it'll enn.

~R.Schneider 1954~

This page was last updated on: March 7, 2006

Song is, "Love Song" by Enya