NOT UNDERSTOOD. We move along asunder; Our paths grow wider as the seasons creep Along the years; we marvel and we wonder Why life is life. And then we fall asleep -- Not understood. Not understood. We gather false impressions, And hug them closer as the years go by, Till virtues often seem to us transgressions; And thus men rise and fall, and live and die -- Not understood. Not understood. Poor souls with stunted vision Oft measure giants by their narrow gauge; The poisoned shafts of falsehood and derision Are oft impelled 'gainst those who mould the age -- Not understood. Not understanding. The secret springs of action Which lie beneath the surface and the show Are disregarded; with self-satisfaction We judge our neighbor, and they often go -- Not understood. Not understood. How trifles often change us! The thoughtless sentence or the fancied slight Destroys long years of friendship, and estrange us, And on our souls there falls a freezing blight -- Not understood. Not understood. How many breasts are aching For lack of sympathy! Ah, day to day How many cheerless, lonely hearts are breaking! How many noble spirits pass away -- Not understood. O God! that men would see a little clearer, Or judge less harshly where they cannot see; O God! that men would draw a little nearer To one another; they'd be nearer Thee -- And understood. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BUSY HEART by RUPERT BROOKE THE DREAM by GEORGE GORDON BYRON NEED OF LOVING by STRICKLAND GILLILAN HERO AND LEANDER by CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE CALLER HERRIN' by CAROLINA OLIPHANT NAIRNE CABOOSE THOUGHTS by CARL SANDBURG THE LOVER TO THE THAMES OF LONDON TO FAVOUR HIS LADY ... by GEORGE TURBERVILLE |