Solitude Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Solitude

Rating: 4.7


Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air.
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go.
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you lose them all.
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life's gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a long and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.

Solitude
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Cracker Cow 21 December 2009

I was only the age of seven when my mother recited this poem to me. It was after a judo match. The poem has been by my bed for years. The poem has brought me back from self pity. It has saved me from committing sucide as my mother did. Dearest mother why did you not remember the poem?

81 11 Reply
Allyson Heller 25 January 2012

So true. This should be higher up on the list!

65 11 Reply
Smoky Hoss 19 October 2010

When feeling alone, Converse with a poem...

58 9 Reply
Evance Ombaka 08 April 2012

Absolutely true. My number one on the list.

47 12 Reply
Johnny Rodriguez 06 May 2010

In response to J. Hays and Lori Smith. I agree, the same applies to me. I may be surround by many people but none are truly my friends, I guess I'm all alone...

41 13 Reply
Sandra Feldman 18 May 2023

What a great, great poem! So fabulouly written, so truthful and wonderfully complete! So realistic and yet sadly sweet. A whole treaty the Truth of Life and People, as unforgettable as it is great. A whole book of life's philosophy, in an unforgettable poem with no mistakes.

0 0 Reply
Mansi B. 31 October 2021

I can relate.

0 0 Reply
Me Poet Yeps Poet 30 October 2020

I my love define none become mine but if i also fall in line all is fine they love me love my white wine then only life becomes fine to ones fate so you too resign then all and anyone will be thine

0 2 Reply
Me Poet Yeps Poet 30 October 2020

A very factually true poem for all times i have well experienced through out my life ''LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU '' I have often laughed all my while rarely cried coz i'd have died as many to threaten me tried I let them pass by So man to fish in you always does try let them win then ply else they will also fly I have given blood to drink as red wine else they'd refuse to with me dine

0 2 Reply
Me Poet Yeps Poet 30 October 2020

2.. I my love define none become mine but if i also fall in line all is fine they love me love my white wine then only life becomes fine to ones fate so you too resign then all and anyone will be thine

0 2 Reply
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Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Johnstown Center / Rock County / Wisconsin
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