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.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem Compensation

3 Comments

  1. Sarah says:

    my bad, that was probibly around 1842 that his son died, but dont take my word for it. sry

  2. Sarah says:

    I know Emerson had many people in his life that have died and I know that had effected his writing, especially the death of his son. His son died some time around 1742 so i was wondering when this and some of Emerson’s other pieces were written to be able to paralel these happenings. If anyone knows, can you post it? thanx

  3. keryka says:

    this poem was so wonderful.Ralph Waldo Emerson has so real great skills. Its about time that I got around to reading his poems.Its just so wonderful.
    ~i give a thanks to the best poem writer

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