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Blogging, Friday Favorites, Journaling, Poetry, Reflections, Uncategorized, William Henry Davies
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
Absolutely wonderful. I studied in Newport, Wales, and thought I had come across all the poets from this region. A real joy to come across this poet. I shall put the kettle on and have another read. Thanks for sharing. Descartes.
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Howdy there! Well, you’ve probably had time to read that poem a few hundred times by now! I’ll have to get my poetry Friday up and going again! Thanks for stopping by!
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I like reading about poets and that how I came across your post. Loved this poem.
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So glad you liked it, Monica. What poets do you like? (Sorry I took so long to answer…) And thanks so much for stopping by.
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Long time Calendar,
Hope all is well with you, all ok here so far 🙏. I enjoyed reading this post, thank you for sharing 🙂
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Hey, Margaret! Goo to hear from you! How’s the Covid situation where you are? What have you been up to lately? ❤
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Hi Calen, good to hear from you. Covid restrictions lifted ( mask wearing & social distancing etc) just recently. People to use their own discretion ! Infection rates were already increasing so watch this space re ? Another lockdown.
Easier for you to see my June Reblogged post ‘never judge a book by it’s cover’ to see what has been happening with me.
Take care ❤️
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How’s it going with you generally alongside Covid?
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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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Hi, Julia! I hear ya. Especially lately as his nibs brought a little present home from work two weeks ago. Covid! All three of us at the house have had it. Arn and Brandon’s symptoms were fairly mild, a few aches and a bad cough. I lucked out and am actually asymptomatic. But it gave me more time to run up and down stairs between the two patients! Must say, however, on a scale of 1 to 10, my nerve level is about a 15+. I feel like a caged animal.
How are things with you over there? I know it’s been a while since you posted, I’m just slower than cold tar these days!
Big hugs!
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We have friends who have had near misses (isolated because of close contact, but nothing developed) and news of more distant associates who have actually had it. Mr T and I are staying well away from everyone and, touch wood, are OK. We’ve just been a long walk in the snow-covered woods, which was beautiful and SO good for the soul. Hang in there! x
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Glad to hear you’re doing well! ❤
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Hope you are both doing well still. Walking in the woods sounds wonderful. Don’t know about the snow though. (rolls eyes – you’d think I would love it right about now. It’s been hovering around 107 here. The best to Mr. T! ❤
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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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Glad you’re not minding the “slowing-down” thing. Me, I’m going nuts! All three of us tested positive at the same time. His nibs and Brandon have had the aches and pains and now the cough. But they’re wearing me out. Men are the worst patients! I guess the Lord knew I’d need all the energy I could muster as it turned out I am asymptomatic! We are all out of isolation now. I desperately need a change of scene!
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Update: here we are in January 2021, and working remotely will continue through the end of this academic year at least. I’m fine with that. I can see how much more productive and relaxed I am in many ways, and I’ve been able to innovate in some areas that I think will serve students well. I’m so sorry your family has had COVID! One of my daughters was sick with it in the fall, she’s a teacher. She was very achey and tired and she had a low fever, sore throat, lost her senses of taste and smell for a couple of weeks, but she recovered well and got taste and smell back. I hope for the same for your family!
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Thanks for bringing this poem to me. I love it. Good to see you back.
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How are you doing, Oneta? Have you managed to stay safe all this time? All three of us are just finishing up our quarantine for covid. I was the lucky one. I turned out to be asymtomatic. PTL!!! More time for me to run up and down stairs between the other two!
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Covid hampered but not rigid against going out. I go to the Center for indoor walking five days a week. Neither my husband nor I have been sick. I’m thankful for that. I’m not sure about taking the vaccine. I will see what my doc says this week. I go for a regular physical. No crises. Thanks.
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I’m so glad to hear that. You’ll have to let me know what your doctor says about it. ❤
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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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