Compensation

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Why should I keep holiday,
When other men have none?
Why but because when these are gay,
I sit and mourn alone.

And why when mirth unseals all tongues
Should mine alone be dumb?
Ah! late I spoke to silent throngs,
And now their hour is come.

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Comments2
  • dustybottomley3

    WOW, REALLY STRIKING WORDS! IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT THE SOLITARY ASPECT OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE. "WHEN THESE ARE GAY, I SIT AND MOURN ALONE" REALLY HITS HARD. DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL THE SAME? OR IS IT CHALLENGING THE NORM TO EXPRESS JOY WHEN EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS HAPPY? THOUGHTS?

    • DorcasLCCB

      Read 'Compensation' by Emerson again, took me back!