The House by the Side of the Road Analysis

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,

in a fellowship 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 part 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 moutains 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---



It's 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 cynic's ban?

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

And be a friend to man.

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This poem made me tear up the first time I read it and it tugs at my heart every time I read it. Beautiful poem.

| Posted on 2012-02-04 | by a guest

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It\'s an awesome experience with this poem \"The House by the side of the road\". The poet has written it beautifully and in my analysis this is an absolute beauty.

| Posted on 2012-01-16 | by a guest

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Sam walter Foss wrote this timeless poem to inspire people to be of service to others. The poet unfolds his organized thoughts to brilliantly deliver the message of the poem as \"Giving is the true joy of living\". The poet starts his poem comparing persons who live isolated and alone with those who find themselve alone as they blaze pioneer paths. Sam Foss is content to help those he encounters in his everyday life. Next the poet contrasts the types of people who are good to those who are bad. He rejects fellowship with skeptics with naysayers. He is content with simply being in the company of ordinary people. The author then compares those who have dreams and hopes to achieve with those who have lost their dreams. The author is content with simply inspiring others by being a friend and a help to those in need of friendship. The poet then takes us on an imaginary journey to meadows, mountains and down an endless road. He is content to fellowship with the travelers that stop by his house before they pass out of sight in the night on the highway of life. The \"House\" is Mr. Foss\' post (calling) in life. The \"Road\" is the highway of others take as they pass by his post as they journey in their lives. Sam Walter Foss makes it perfectly clear to the reader of his poem that he is content to be stablished in life in his calling, steadfast and unmovable on his divine post and to be a true friend to others. --Analysis completed 11/13/10 by Dr. Jasmin Duckett, Author and Poet

| Posted on 2010-11-13 | by a guest