just wondering if someone could help me understand the main point of this poem by Sam Walter Foss. i’m kinda confused as to what he’s getting at here…

The House By The End Of The Road
By Sam Walter Foss

Let me live in a house by the end of the road,
Where the race of men go by—
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner’s seat,
Or hurl the cynic’s ban;—
Let me live in a house by the end of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road,
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears—
Both parts of an infinite plan;—
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead
And mountains of wearisome height;
I will be like a road that passes on through the long afternoon
And stretch away to the night.
But still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice,
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by—
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish—so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner’s seat
Or hurl the cynic’s ban?—
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

The poet means that he wants to live among ordinary people and be tolerant of them, because he is one himself.  He has no reason to criticize them or feel superior.  We are all sometimes good and sometimes bad, sometimes happy and sometimes sad, and he is no exception.  We are all members of the human race, so we should all live together and accept both the good and bad things in life.

He sits and watches life go by, but does not want it to pass him by, leaving him alone. He want to have empathy for all who pass by feeling as they feel not ignoring them.
He wants others to trust him, learn from him, use him to make their lives better, and he wants to gladly help with this empathy he has. He is no better than anyone, no
worse either, just one of them, eager to be accepted and not judge them for anything.

(And I like what ACB says as well.)

The poem is about 30 lines.

There is actually a lot for one to think about in it. Thanks for sharing it,
and its nice to see you here Craig.  I know you posted some time
back, but its good to have you back. Be welcome.