Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WANDERER, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD Poet's Biography First Line: Wandering minstrel at my gate Last Line: Give your smile to slaves like me! Subject(s): Life; Minstrels; Wandering & Wanderers | ||||||||
Wandering minstrel at my gate, Shivering in the winter gloaming, How appalling seems your fate, -- Destined to be always roaming, Singing for a bit of bread And a shelter for your head! Your sweet voice is all you own, Save the poor, thin clothes you're wearing, And you are not quite alone, For a dog your crust is sharing; Yet o'er many a weary mile You have brought . . . . a song and smile! I, who have abundant land, Home with comforts beyond measure, Gardens, loggias, and a strand Where a boat awaits my pleasure, Wonder what would be your story, Were I tramp, and you signore! Would you weary of control? Long to slip your gilded tether, And with Leo once more stroll, Heedless of the wind and weather? You could hardly do that all, Once ensconced behind my wall. Every one must make a choice, Life is based on compensation; You have nothing but your voice, I have more, . . . but more vexation! Minstrel, you at least are free; Give your smile to slaves like me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FOLK SINGER OF THE THIRTIES by JAMES DICKEY WANDERER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY by CLARENCE MAJOR THE WANDERER: A ROCOCO STUDY (FIRST VERSION) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE WANDERER by WYSTAN HUGH AUDEN LONG GONE by STERLING ALLEN BROWN BLACK SHEEP by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON A MAY MONODY by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD |
|