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William Henry Davies
Poet and writer William Henry Davies was born in Newport, Wales. His father died
when he was three years old, and after his mother’s subsequent remarriage, Davies was raised by his grandparents. He attended school until age 14 and then apprenticed with a picture framer while attending night school. At age 22, with a small inheritance, he boarded a ship to New York and spent the following six years train hopping across the United States and Canada, supporting himself through casual labor and panhandling. After a March 1899 train hopping injury that necessitated the amputation of his right leg below the knee, Davies returned to Wales and then settled in London, where he devoted his time to writing poetry.
In his poems, grounded in realism, Davies often engaged themes of hardship, the natural world, and city life. His 20 collections of poetry include The Soul’s Destroyer and Other Poems (1905), Nature Poems and Others (1908), Foliage (1913), and The Bird of Paradise and Other Poems (1914). An introduction to his poetry is included in Selected Poems (1985, chosen for the Oxford Poets series by Jonathan Barker). His work is also featured in Georgian Poetry, Edward Marsh’s anthology series, and in The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse (1973, edited by Philip Larkin). Davies is the subject of Richard J. Stonesifer’s W.H. Davies: A Critical Biography (1963).
Davies wrote two memoirs, The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp (1908) and Young Emma (written in 1924, published in 1980) and four novels, which include The True Traveller (1912) and The Adventures of Johnny Walker, Tramp (1926).
Davies received an honorary doctorate from the University of Wales and is honored by a plaque at the Church House Inn in Newport, Wales. A selection of his papers and manuscripts is held at the National Library of Wales. (yourdailypoem.com)
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Howdy, long lost pardners! I have to get out of this dismayed fog I’m in with everything going on in our country, so I’m on a poem-safari again. I think I really like this poem because because it’s absolutely true. If there’s one thing this COVID19 thing has done, it’s given our family the opportunity to stop and stare! For me, I’ve come to appreciate this slowing down. Do you? Or are you going stir crazy?
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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.
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Picture Source: Poetry Foundation
Always liked “Leisure” words so meaningful, lovely post. Hope you are all well in the Family, Arn’s tests went well. The Boys are fine thank God, I have a injury to left knee at present difficult to walk but time will heal. “Leisure” mentions squirrells and I have at present 3 babies in the garden, what pleasure they give me watching them chasing each other playing their games up & down the Trees, simple things in life so important. Think of you so often despite my lack or corresponding, hope you got my email. Take care to the Family & yourself, God Bless love – Anna
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I’m going stir crazy!
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Great to see you again! I’m enjoying aspects of this slowdown, like working from home. Looks like I’ll be doing that until January 2021. I’m seeing my family more, I’m going for daily walks, I’m getting more regular exercise. And I’m an introvert, so I’m pretty content with my family, my work, my books.
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Thanks for bringing this poem to me. I love it. Good to see you back.
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Hiya Calen! Good to see you again. I’ve been doing so much standing and staring and still I haven’t seen it all! I like the poem too, especially with the context you provided . Hugs,!
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Crazy unnecessary times are living, but I lead a rather simple life any way so time hasn’t bothered me. It is the cut off that has…not getting to be with the grands very often. I have managed to repaint the kitchen and living room with more to do …another time. I do like the poem.
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Great to hear from you again Cheryl. i was getting worried!! It’s been a busy time for me! I’ve made great use of lockdown – writing, reading, decorating and walking!! Nature has been good too!
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