"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length."

"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length." is a quote from Robert Frost.

It is his birthday today. I have reprinted the poem below from which this comes. It tells about one perfect day....when the sunshine shone all day and skies were clear and from which one can draw happiness that will last you through many many cloudy ones! I like that.

And it's true, at least for me, that mostly I remember the happy things in my life and let the sad ones go. And so the happy ones collect and it surely seems as though there was more sunshine than rain in my life. It is what I choose. I understand from reading Frost's biography that he "suffered from dark depressions" in his life. And yet he wrote poetry that has and will lift our souls for eternity. I choose to think that because he knew the dark, he appreciated the light all the more. Thus the title of the poem. This, like most poems, increases in value if read aloud. Try it that way.

Happiness Makes Up in Height for What It Lacks in Length by Robert Frost Oh, stormy stormy world, The days you were not swirled Around with mist and cloud, Or wrapped as in a shroud, And the sun's brilliant ball Was not in part or all Obscured from mortal view— Were days so very few I can but wonder whence I get the lasting sense Of so much warmth and light. If my mistrust is right It may be altogether From one day's perfect weather, When starting clear at dawn, The day swept clearly on To finish clear at eve. I verily believe My fair impression may Be all from that one day No shadow crossed but ours As through its blazing flowers We went from house to wood For change of solitude. "Happiness Makes Up in Height for What It Lacks in Length" by Robert Frost, Collected Poems. © Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1969. Reprinted with permission