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A Parody on “A Psalm of Life” by Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Topics: deep-lines

Life is real, life is earnest, And the shell is not its pen – “Egg thou art, and egg remainest” Was not spoken of the hen. Art is long and Time is fleeting, Be our bills then sharpened well, And not like muffled drums be beating On the inside of the shell. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the great barnyard of life,

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"Life is real, life is earnest,..."

"A Parody on “A Psalm of Life”" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is a deep english poem consisting of 24 lines. This English poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes demonstrates the timeless power of verse to capture complex human emotions. Beginning with "Life is real, life is earnest, And the shell is not its pen –...", this piece explores themes of deep through vivid imagery and emotional resonance. The work invites contemplation on the deeper currents of life, love, and the human condition. Oliver Wendell Holmes's celebrated body of poetry continues to inspire readers across generations and cultures, and this particular work stands as a powerful example of their artistic vision.

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Author:Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Life is real, life is earnest,..." by Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Oliver Wendell Holmes

About Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809–1894) was an American poet, physician, and essayist. His poems "Old Ironsides" and "The Chambered Nautilus" are American classics. He was part of the Fireside Poets group.

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