My Symphony by William Henry Channing

My Symphony
by
William Henry Channing

To live content with small means.
To seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion.
To be worthy not respectable,
and wealthy not rich.
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently,
act frankly, to listen to stars, birds, babes,
and sages with open heart, to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.

This poem is in the public domain.

William Henry Channing (1810 - 1884) was a clergyman, philosopher, and writer. Born in Boston, he was largely supported by his uncle--the famous Unitarian theologian, William Ellery Channing--when his father died shortly after William's birth. He graduated from Harvard and served at Unitarian churches in New York, Ohio, Washington, D.C., and England before becoming chaplain of the U.S. Congress. A strong supporter of women's rights (Susan B. Anthony was a member of his congregation in Rochester, New York), and an avid socialist, William was a close friend of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Vasni:
Vasni Bran A few words to the wise.
Posted 11/16/2021 05:11 AM

erinsnana:
I only joined YDP this year, so I didn't see this poem listed last November. This has been a favorite of mine, especially since my husband died. I've had to come up with a "new" life, and I used this poem as a guide...
Posted 12/20/2012 11:12 AM

karenpaulholmes:
This was read at my mother's funeral service because she loved the words so much and tried to live by them. Thanks for posting it.
Posted 11/29/2011 05:33 PM

Joe Sottile:
I like this poem in what says and how it is said. Sometimes I hurry through life, and sometimes that's good, and sometimes it's not.
Posted 11/29/2011 09:47 AM

KevinArnold:
Another excellent find for the season. It's difficult to convey emotion with generalities, but if one can imagine a symphony of them, well orchestrated . . .
Posted 11/29/2011 09:31 AM

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