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I asked the professors who teach the meaning of life to tell
me what is happiness.
And I went to famous executives who boss the work of
thousands of men.
They all shook their heads and gave me a smile as though
I was trying to fool with them
And then one Sunday afternoon I wandered out along
the Desplaines river
And I saw a crowd of Hungarians under the trees with
their women and children and a keg of beer and an
accordion.
This poem is in the public domain.
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Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967) was an American poet, childrenâs author, and biographer. The son of Swedish parents who immigrated to Illinois, Carl was forced to drop out of school after the eighth grade to help support the family. He worked at a number of different jobs, then did a stint as a hobo before volunteering to serve in the Spanish-American war. A plain-speaking poet with a style similar to that of Walt Whitman, Carl often chose American life as his subject matter--especially industry, agriculture, and the common man. Like Whitman, he attended several colleges, but never received a degree, except for honorary ones bestowed years later on the merit of his work.
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Larry Schug:
I agree with all the commenters from 2011.
Posted 01/22/2026 09:05 PM
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Tom Sharpe:
The opposite of happiness is misery. Your choice.
Posted 01/22/2026 11:29 AM
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EstherJ:
Funny! It seems to me everyone would have a different answer to "what is happiness?" The sad part is most of us don't feel like we can even stop being busy long enough to ask "what would add to my happiness?" And, if I don't understand happiness in myself how can I understand how to help others be happy.
Posted 01/22/2026 10:21 AM
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dianapoet:
A wonderful poem by a favorite poet
Posted 01/22/2011 03:43 PM
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dotief@comcast.net:
I'm with Gary! Good poem!
Posted 01/22/2011 07:47 AM
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Gary Busha:
A good poem. Sandburg deserves to be read and reread.
Posted 01/22/2011 05:48 AM
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