Stand and Stare: What is this life if... - Lung Conditions C...

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Stand and Stare

jandan profile image
12 Replies

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

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jandan profile image
jandan
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12 Replies
scrobbitty profile image
scrobbitty

I can sit and stare, does that count? I can do that all day long ! All joking aside, beaut poem Janet :) xx

I really love that poem, and have not heard it for a long time. It's funny how we forget somethings and then when reminded of them, they are so familiar, like yesterdays memory. I first heard that during an English class at school, and I was sharing the book it was written in with a girl called Susan. The teacher nominated her to read it out loud as she liked to stare out of the window so much. Thanks Jan for sharing that poem today and for reminding me of an old friend.

rick1 profile image
rick1

Yes Janet a wonderful poem very soothing to read.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Thank you Jandan for the poem, it was nice to stray from hum drum daily living. Whether we sit or stand it's good to take a moment to appreciate life

Jandan, I did appreciate reading that beautiful poem. I think that to read a poem like that, is like listening to beautiful music xx

Thanks for posting that lovely poem Jan. It was one of my mother's favourites and I can remember her reading it on many an occasion. Bitter sweet memories.

Bev x

sillywitch profile image
sillywitch

Thanks Janet, like Anna I havn't heard that poem since school, it,s lovely to read it again

Karen xxxx

appyalison profile image
appyalison

Thank you Jan for bringing beautiful memories to the fore. When feeling low I always find a beautiful tree, flower, bush etc to focus on and see the beauty around us. Thank you. :-) Alison

KingoftheCocktails profile image
KingoftheCocktails

Well I for one had not heard it before, but I can find time to stand and stare

KOTC

Your daily tonic

undine profile image
undine

Knew the first few lines but not the whole poem so thank you - poetry is like music for the soul - wise words too xx

Thanks Jan,bought back memories of being in school,in Sussex.Lovely words,I always thought Wordsworth wrote it,so there you are!

Love Wendells xx

I make an excuse for not moving when breathless ... lean on sink and watch wildlife .... need to stop and stare adnd I love what I see though not the cause for seeing as much as I do :)) x

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