Leisure
Leisure
Original Text
The Complete Poems of W. H. Davies, intro. by Osbert Sitwell (London: Jonathan Cape, 1963): 140-41. PR 6007 A8A17
1What is this life if, full of care,
2We have no time to stand and stare.
3No time to stand beneath the boughs
4And stare as long as sheep or cows.
5No time to see, when woods we pass,
6Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
7No time to see, in broad daylight,
8Streams full of stars like skies at night.
9No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
10And watch her feet, how they can dance.
11No time to wait till her mouth can
12Enrich that smile her eyes began.
13A poor life this if, full of care,
14We have no time to stand and stare.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2011
Form