Each Road

Each road to the proper end
Runs straight on, without a bend.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, poet, playwright, and natural philosopher, born on August 28, 1749, and died on March 22, 1832. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the modern era. Goethe's best-known work, 'Faust,' is a profound exploration of human ambition, desire, and redemption. His contributions extend beyond literature into various fields, including science and politics. His writings and thoughts have had a lasting influence on Western culture.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Third Ode.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

From Faust. Dedication.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

Another.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

Cat-Pie.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Various the roads of life; in one

Various the roads of life; in one
All terminate, one lonely way
We go; and 'Is he gone?'
Is all our best friends say.

Walter Savage Landor

Song Of The Road

I am a Road; a good road, fair and smooth and broad;
    And I link with my beautiful tether
    Town and Country together,
Like a ribbon rolled on the earth, from the reel of God.
    Oh, great the life of a Road!

I am a Road; a long road, leading on and on;
    And I cry to the world to follow,
    Past meadow and hill and hollow,
Through desolate night, to the open gates of dawn.
    Oh, bold the life of a Road!

I am a Road; a kind road, shaped by strong hands.
    I make strange cities neighbours;
    The poor grow rich with my labours,
And beauty and comfort follow me through the lands.
    Oh, glad the life of a Road!

I am a Road; a wise road, knowing all men's ways;
    And I know how each heart reaches
    For the things dear Nat...

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ever And Everywhere.

Far explore the mountain hollow,
High in air the clouds then follow!

To each brook and vale the Muse

Thousand times her call renews.

Soon as a flow'ret blooms in spring,
It wakens many a strain;

And when Time spreads his fleeting wing,

The seasons come again.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Roadways

One road leads to London,
One road leads to Wales,
My road leads me seawards
To the white dipping sails.

One road leads to the river,
And it goes singing slow;
My road leads to shipping,
Where the bronzed sailors go.

Leads me, lures me, calls me
To salt green tossing sea;
A road without earth's road-dust
Is the right road for me.

A wet road heaving, shining,
And wild with seagull's cries,
A mad salt sea-wind blowing
The salt spray in my eyes.

My road calls me, lures me
West, east, south, and north;
Most roads lead men homewards,
My road leads me forth.

To add more miles to the tally
Of grey miles left behind,
In quest of that one beauty
God put me here to find.

John Masefield

Where Three Roads Joined

Where three roads joined it was green and fair,
And over a gate was the sun-glazed sea,
And life laughed sweet when I halted there;
Yet there I never again would be.

I am sure those branchways are brooding now,
With a wistful blankness upon their face,
While the few mute passengers notice how
Spectre-beridden is the place;

Which nightly sighs like a laden soul,
And grieves that a pair, in bliss for a spell
Not far from thence, should have let it roll
Away from them down a plumbless well

While the phasm of him who fared starts up,
And of her who was waiting him sobs from near,
As they haunt there and drink the wormwood cup
They filled for themselves when their sky was clear.

Yes, I see those roads now rutted and bare,
While over the...

Thomas Hardy

Courage.

Carelessly over the plain away,
Where by the boldest man no path
Cut before thee thou canst discern,
Make for thyself a path!

Silence, loved one, my heart!
Cracking, let it not break!
Breaking, break not with thee!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe