The easy roads are crowded
And the level roads are jammed;
The pleasant little rivers
With drifting folks are crammed.
But off yonder where it’s rocky,
Where you get a better view,
You will find the ranks are thinning
And the travelers are few.
Where the going’s smooth and pleasant
You will always find the throng,
For the many, more’s the pity,
Seem to like to drift along.
But the steps that call for courage,
And the task that’s hard to do
In the end result in glory
For the never-ending few.
The Few
by
Edgar Allen Guest (August 20th, 1881 - August 5th, 1959), was a British-born American poet who became known as the People’s Poet. His poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life. He was born in Birmingham, England in 1881. In 1891 his family moved from England to Detroit, Michigan, where Guest lived until he died.
My photo is a reshare from a photo I took in Alaska in 2018.
So true! That's a great view.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, I agree and thank you :)
DeleteI like the poem! I think I may have heard of him, but knew nothing about him. Your Alaska photo is unbelievable! Who is the person in it?
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny, I knew the author but didn’t know this poem. I don’t know who that person was. I was looking at the view more than anything and saw them come into frame and took the photo. .
DeleteGreat photo and I like the poem. Traditional and reassuring.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol :) so glad you found it so.
DeleteThis poem reads so smooth and profound
ReplyDeleteI agree, thanks Roentare :)
DeleteLove the poem, it is so true! Happy Friday! Take care, have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, much appreciated and I wish you the same :)
DeleteInteresting poem...and I love the photo!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
That’s great, thank you Donna and sending hugs :)
DeleteAnd that is exactly why I always stray from the proverbial beaten path.
ReplyDeleteAnd we benefit when you share those wonderful photos :)
DeleteWhat a nice poem. I've never read it before. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Ann, and thank you :)
DeleteI love this brilliant poem that reads like a song and is both timely and timeless.
ReplyDeleteThank you Penelope, exactly how I feel about it :)
DeleteLovely, Denise.
ReplyDeleteHappy you think so Jeanie, thank you :)
DeleteThat poem speaks so clearly of what is important in life. Be a sheep, following the crowd, or carve your own path.
ReplyDeleteExactly, thank you Janice :)
DeleteSo beautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Much appreciated Regine, thank you :)
DeleteI think the person standing out there alone should be called The Idiot, not the few. ha ha... not me, I want the well traveled paths, like the ones in your parks that you show us.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well, if I could and if I was sure footed, which I used to be when I was young, I would be clambering all over those rocks, which I did a lot of at the seashore, but much nearer to level ground :) Most of my walks are now well-traveled by many but there seems to be room for all of us :)
DeleteToday was a catch up day for me as I read all your blogs from the week. Loved them all! The donkey story was very cute. I love the fact that you can have open dialogue with your husband on things you don't necessarily see eye to eye on. And you sold yourself short on your dinosaur drawing. 10x's better than I could have done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim, I hope all goes well with you and Barb :) Thank you very much for the kind words.
DeleteLovely
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, much appreciated :)
DeleteI have read a few of Guest's poems and I appreciate them. It's poetry that I can understand for the most part and I find him easy to read. Thanks for sharing this one. It makes me think of the Bible verses about the Wide Road and the Narrow Road.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely aren’t they? That’s a lovely comparison. Thank you Ellen :)
DeleteThis is new to me and I do love each line.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing...I am certain in another life I lived in the mountains of Italy.
I love Italian food and mountains.
Hugs Cecilia
That’s great Cecilia, and how wonderful. I too love the mountains and Italian food. I always seem to be drawn to the mountains more than anywhere else. Thank you and sending hugs :)
DeleteThat photo....wow! The poem speaks the truth.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra for photo and poem, and yes it does :)
DeleteVery nice poem. Flowed well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ivy, glad you liked it :)
DeleteHappy Weekend!
DeleteInspiring poem!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great day. :)
Thank you Rita. I am and hope you are too :)
DeleteBeautiful words. Have a great weekend, Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane and you have a great weekend also :)
DeleteThank you Denise for this wonderful photograph and an enjoyable poem.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You are very welcome Jan , I am happy you enjoyed them. All the best to you too :)
DeleteI have a book that belonged to my grandmother by Edgar Guest. I wonder if it's the same. The book is pretty old. I love this poem.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful Val, and what a treasure from your grandmother. So glad you loved the poem. It is one I enjoyed immensely :)
DeleteMe gusto el poema. lo que uno desea siempre requiere esfuerzo. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias y me gustó mucho tu comentario. Te mando un beso.
DeleteWhat a good poem, Denise.
ReplyDeleteIt is I agree. Thank you Margaret :)
DeleteThis is so true and beautiful, Denise. I hope you're doing well. Have a peaceful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you liked it Kay, thank you :) we are doing well and I wish you the same :)
DeleteSometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, wise words of Jerry Seinfeld! 😅
LOL! I'll have to remember that one. That's a great quote. Thanks Sandi :)
DeleteInteresting poem.
ReplyDeleteGlad you thought so Linda :)
Delete