Wisdom

 When I have ceased to break my wings
 Against the faultiness of things,
 And learned that compromises wait
 Behind each hardly opened gate,
 When I have looked Life in the eyes,
 Grown calm and very coldly wise,
 Life will have given me the Truth,
 And taken in exchange -- my youth.

Commentary

Here’s another one from Sara Teasdale. It’s very simple and expresses beautifully the involuntary bargain most of us make when growing up.

— Lieven Marchand

The Wondering Minstrels, poem #1677 · 18 April 2005

Guest poem submitted by Lieven Marchand

Fair use

Show 3 commentsHide comments

From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.

Snow Kris · 18 April 2005

I think Sara Teasdale is truly wonderful! You never have to think about what she means - it is all so simple and straight forward. It is refreshing to read but always thought provoking.

Kris

Common sense is not so common.

Mallika Chellappa · 14 June 2005

Couldn’t resist this:

Foolishness

I’ve made every mistake known to man

Into the fire, out of the pan;

And though I came out none the worse,

My loved ones did their fortune curse;

And often they would me condemn,

For all the heartache I caused them.

But now I’m older and looking wise

They come to me – for advice!

Mallika Chellappa 2005

Mallika Chellappa · 14 June 2005

Couldn’t resist this:
Foolishness
I’ve made every mistake known to man
Into the fire, out of the pan;
And though I came out none the worse,
My loved ones did their fortune curse;
And often they would me condemn,
For all the heartache I caused them.
But now I’m older and looking wise
They come to me – for advice!
Mallika Chellappa 2005