A favourite poet of mine is William Henry Davies. Perhaps
his best known poem is ‘Leisure’, which is reproduced below.
In these times, people are always rushing about. They seldom
put aside time to unwind. They must be on the go all the time.
Time rushes by. Why not relax now, and spend time to explore
the photo above? Be calm; be quiet; let your eye look at every detail. Enjoy
being still.
Leisure by W. H. Davies
WHAT is this life if,
full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No
time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No
time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No
time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No
time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No
time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A
poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Links
W. H. Davies
William Henry Davies
Poets’ Corner – W. H.
Davies
W H Davies
W H Davies Manuscripts
7 comments:
Enjoyed the poem Bill ,thank you . Is the photo at Heybridge?
P.S. I am back in the UK next month and there to the beginning of July, we must catch up.
Im familiar with the poem, Bill, but I have to say, it looses nothing whatsoever with the re-reading. Thankyou so much.
Good poem Bill. I like the photo as well. The yacht on the right is someones pride and joy (no doubt). The one on the left looks like a Hillyard? - The one in the middle (Schooner rigged?) looks very interesting indeed - she looks like a serious cruising boat of some gravitas? I wonder who designed her?
No, not a schooner - aft mast not of sufficient diameter.
Paul,
The photo was taken beside Priors boatyard at Burnham-on-Crouch looking towards Wallasy Island.
Am I right in thinking you are due to arrive in the UK on 15th May?
I'll look forward to meeting up.
Cheers,
Bill.
Yes Bill that is correct. I will call you once I am settled in and over any jet lag!
Thanks Bill, for reminding me of that great poem and a smashing picture. Even a few minutes a day is good practice for standing and staring.
Jim
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