Poem by William Henry Davies

Leisure

What is 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,
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.

1. My Youth
2. Smiles
3. The Sleepers
4. The Starved
5. Poor Kings

Amy Lowell Leisure ("Leisure, thou goddess of a bygone age")

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