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Common Things

I like to hear of wealth and gold,
And El Doradoes in their glory;
I like for silks and satins bold
To sweep and rustle through a story.

The nightingale is sweet of song;
The rare exotic smells divinely;
And knightly men who stride along,
The role heroic carry finely.

But then, upon the other hand,
Our minds have got a way of running
To things that aren't quite so grand,
Which, maybe, we are best in shunning.

For some of us still like to see
The poor man in his dwelling narrow,
The hollyhock, the bumblebee,
The meadow lark, and chirping sparrow.

We like the man who soars and sings
With high and lofty inspiration;
But he who sings of common things
Shall always share our admiration.

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Comments

  • Pari Ali
    February 9, 2004
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    what confused me is the one line
    Which, maybe, we are best in shunning.
    because perhaps I looked at it from the wrong side thinking that it is best for us to shun when maybe it means that we are good at shunning such things and concentrating on the grand but then again if that is so then it contradcts the last line completely.
    but the whole poem is full of truth. Oh we love grandeur and glamour and all things that shine often not seeing what might lie beneath all that glitter but at the same time the simple things touch our hearts the wonders of nature the simplicity of life of the ordinary people all these have elements that touch us perhaps it is not the poem that is contradictory but the people it is about we the human race who are so contrary that both sides of any description apply to us.

  • Kitesen
    February 7, 2004
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    How verry verry pittyfull that last line. A real smooth running poem. Nicely tuned all through untill these last two words.
    Further on a nice tribute to all singers.


  • AndrewHide
    February 5, 2004
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    I like this piece and its balance of, dreams of finery and comfort in the common-placed things. Although I found this stanza, with its last line contradictary to the message of the poem.
    But then, upon the other hand,
    Our minds have got a way of running
    To things that aren't quite so grand,
    Which, maybe, we are best in shunning.


    Andrew