The Simple Things
In this short but inspiring poem, The Simple Things, poet Edgar A Guest reflects on the simple things of life. As usual, Guests poetry offers wisdom and reflections of everyday life. We hope you enjoy this poem and it reminds you to cherish the simple things that life has to offer.The Simple Things
Poet: Edgar A. Guest
I would not be too wise-so very wise
I would not care to climb so high that I
I would not know too much-too much to smile
I would not care to sit upon a throne,
God grant that I may live upon this earth
That I must sneer at simple songs and creeds,
And let the glare of wisdom blind my eyes
To humble people and their humble needs.
Could never hear the children at their play,
Could only see the people passing by,
And never hear the cheering words they say.
At trivial errors of the heart and hand,
Nor be too proud to play the friend the while
Nor cease to help and know and understand.
Or build my house upon a mountain-top,
Where I must dwell in glory all alone
And never friend come in or poor man stop.
And face the tasks which every morning brings
And never lose the glory and the worth
Of humble service and the simple things.
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This famous poet, Edgar A. Guest was born on August 20, 1881, in Birmingham, England. When Edgar's father lost his job in 1893, Edgar was eleven-year-old. He started working odd jobs after school. The Detroit Free Press hired him in 1895 as a copy boy. Due to the death of his father, he dropped out of high school and started working full time at the newspaper when he was 17. He would work for almost sixty-five years. His father died when the poet was seventeen, and Guest was forced to drop out of high school and work full time at the newspaper. Edgar A Guest has been called "the poet of the people." - his poems were inspirational, often contained the humor of life, and they contained reflections of everyday life. Inspiring words by Edgar Guest, "I take simple everyday things that happen to me and I figure it happens to a lot of other people and I make simple rhymes out of them." Edgar Guest passed away on August 5, 1959.