Wednesday 13 June 2012

The poem

Several people have asked me where I got the lines for the inscription on the bench. I adapted the last two lines of this poem.

Leisure

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

I used the last two lines and changed one word, so on the bench the inscription reads:

"A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to sit and stare."







2 comments:

  1. Sat on the bench for the first time today. It was just what I'd needed. I'm a bit unfit and had managed to find a tree to rest in at the top of Bole Hill (it wasn't very comfortable and a bit high up for the dog)So the bench was more comfortable for us both. Thank you. I'll try to send you the photo the dog took of me sitting and staring, though it wasn't flattering as I got too carried away with the staring...

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  2. Great to hear from you and great to hear that the bench is coming in handy for that little pause.

    I know my Mum has taken tea on the bench too.

    Looking forward to your dog's photos.

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