Friday, November 20, 2015

Poetry Friday: Cheerfulness Taught by Reason


On what could be a dreary, snowy day on which I am captive at home while I wait for a plumber, I am, in the spirit of Hygge, choosing cheerfulness. 
(Hygge is everywhere!) 

Cheerfulness Taught by Reason
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I think we are too ready with complaint
In this fair world of God’s. Had we no hope
Indeed beyond the zenith and the slope
Of yon gray blank of sky, we might be faint
To muse upon eternity’s constraint
Round our aspirant souls. But since the scope
Must widen early, is it well to droop,
For a few days consumed in loss and taint?
O pusillanimous Heart, be comforted,—
And, like a cheerful traveller, take the road—
Singing beside the hedge. What if the bread
Be bitter in thine inn, and thou unshod
To meet the flints?—At least it may be said,
“Because the way is short, I thank thee, God!”

~~~~~

Tricia has the round up at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

~~~~~

Speaking of cheerfulness, if you missed my post yesterday about Lesley Austin's swoony, papery goodness, be sure to check it out. 

6 comments:

Tabatha said...

Very appropriate for Thanksgiving, taking the glass half-full perspective! My favorite line is "O pusillanimous Heart, be comforted" (I always have to remind myself what "pusillanimous" means, though, as I get it confused with "parsimonious" and "pugnacious"!)
Hope you all have an excellent (plumber-free) holiday!

Julie said...

I appreciate the optimism here and love the idea of "singing beside the hedge " - thanks, Karen.

tanita✿davis said...

THIS. This poem.
I shall take it to heart, especially that first line and a half. Thank you.

Karen Edmisten said...

Ah, Tanita...I'm so glad. Me, too. :)

Julie, yes, to singing beside the hedge!

And Tabatha, you can add pulchritudinous to the list. :)

Joseph said...

First time reading your site via Minnesota-Mon. Love the poem Cheerfulness Taught by Reason.
Joseph

Karen Edmisten said...

Thanks for visiting, Joseph, and so glad you liked the poem!