Leisure
W.H. Davies

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 and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
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.

    W.H. Davies (1871~1940) was a Welsh poet who spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or vagabond in the United States and United Kingdom.

    This poem celebrating the marcels of Nature is one of the most soothing poems that I have ever known. The carefree speaker addresses the need to stare at the beautiful scene Nature created; a scene which includes sheep and cattle, squirrels, and skies. Nature will never betray you, recharging your life with joy and wonder.

By Park Jong-Seong
Prof. of English Language & Literature