Subject: My Symphony poem by William Ellery Channing (1818-1901)
Type: Postcard
Year: Indecipherable
Text: “To live content with small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and
refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not respectable, wealthy, not rich;
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly.
To listen to stars and birds, to 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. CHANNING.”
This is not a pretty card. It was cheaply printed, and it’s in pretty rough condition. Normally I pass cards like this right by. I love this card, though, because it was through this card that I became acquainted with this wonderful poem.