The roads of happiness are not <br /> The selfish roads of pleasure seeking, <br /> Where cheeks are flushed with haste and hot <br /> And none has time for kindly speaking. <br /> But they're the roads where lovers stray, <br /> Where wives and husbands walk together <br /> And children romp along the way <br /> Whenever it is pleasant weather. <br /> <br /> The roads of happiness are trod <br /> By simple folks and tender-hearted, <br /> By gentle folks that worship God <br /> And want to live their days unparted. <br /> There kindly people stop and talk, <br /> Regardless of the chase for money, <br /> There, arm in arm, the grown-ups walk <br /> And every eye you see is sunny. <br /> <br /> The roads of happiness are lined, <br /> Not with the friends of royal splendor, <br /> But with the loyal friends and kind <br /> That do the gentle deeds and tender. <br /> There fame has never brought unrest <br /> Nor glory set men's hearts to aching; <br /> There unabandoned is life's best <br /> For selfish love and money making. <br /> <br /> The roads of happiness are those <br /> That do not lead to pomp and glory <br /> But wind among the joys and woes <br /> That make the humble toiler's story. <br /> The roads that oft we used to tread <br /> In early days when first we mated, <br /> When hearts were light and cheeks were red, <br /> And days were not with burdens freighted.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-roads-of-happiness/
