These journals, notes, and missives of the dead -- These poems of all ages -- form a kind Of ever fresh ambrosia for the mind; And we like half-gods, as it were, cloud-fed On song and thought and parable, break bread With all the wits and poets of mankind, Who looked on life and left their souls behind With ours immortally companioned. Rather than honors, riches, and renown -- By heaven, I'd rather be like one of those! -- One who in thought so close enwrapped himself As to live penniless and die unknown, Leaving no record of his joys or woes, Save a small volume on the scholar's shelf. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A GOODNIGHT by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS GROWING GRAY by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE SELF-UNSEEING by THOMAS HARDY OPPORTUNITY by JOHN JAMES INGALLS THE BIGLOW PAPERS. 2D SERIES: 2. JONATHAN TO JOHN by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL KITTY NEIL by JOHN FRANCIS WALLER |