What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies (1871-1940) was a Welsh poet and writer known for his simple yet evocative verse that captured the essence of nature, the struggles of the working class, and the joys of a life lived on the fringes of society.
Born into poverty in Newport, Wales, Davies spent much of his early life as a drifter and hobo, traveling across the United Kingdom and North America. It was during his lonesome wanderings that he discovered solace as a spectator of the infinite beauty of the natural world, which became a recurring theme in his poetry.
Davies's best-known work is the collection "The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp," which draws from his own experiences and provides a glimpse into the hardships and adventures of a vagabond's life. His poems, often written in a straightforward and accessible style, resonate with a sense of longing, capturing both the struggles and the resilience of the human spirit.
I have heard this poem since I was a child. It is truth every day of our lives…
Wisdom spoken. Does it always seem obvious once read