THE COMMON ROAD

 

                THE COMMON ROAD  

“THE COMMON ROAD ” is the title of several poems written by famous poets. They show not only their ambition, character, life’s purpose, interest in worldly or divine activities but also inspire other people to reshape their likes and dislikes.

            The inspirational poem which I have recently read is titled “THE COMMON ROAD” written by the American poet Silas H. Perkins (!832-1911).

             The poem is in first person, not very long, but very interesting. The language is quite simple as if it were written for common readers and growing up children.

            Here are a few selected lines:

The poem begins with the lines:

 

“ I Want to travel the common road

With a great crowd surging by”

 

And then by skipping a few lines says:

 

“I want to be one of the common herd,

Not in a sheltered way

Want to be thrilled, want to be stirred

By the great crowd day by day;

To glimpse the restful valleys deep,

To toil up the rugged hill.

 

            As if it were not enough as a traveller, the poet adds:

  

I want to laugh with a common man

Wherever he chance to be,

I want to lend a helping hand

Over the rough and steep

To a child too young to understand---

I want to live and work and plan

With the great crowd surging by,

To mingle the with common man,

No better and worse than I.

                        ……

There is much to learn from this poem particularly for those  people who ask:

What And How Should We Live For?.                         

                                                                ********

G.R.Kanwal

22 December 2025