A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Sunday 6 March 2011

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 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.


WH DAVIES

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no notes or coins to spare?

No time to stand in B & Q,
(As if we'd better things to do):

No time to see, when shops we pass,
Where markets 'educate' the mass:

No time to see, in neon light,
Stores full of dross and tat and shite:

No time to turn at Xmart's glance,
And watch her pornographic dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Open the purse of any man?

A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time for better ware.


THE SOLITARY WALKER

11 comments:

ksam said...

Wonderful pairing.

Alistair said...

Excellent! Made my morning. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

The textual critic in me asks if this means you are becoming a Better Ware Catalogue salesman?

But more seriously, thanks for this. My Lenten discipline this year will be around discipline of time, and this is very helpful for deepening the reflection.

thanks!

Andy

Luiza said...

Take the time to stand and stare
For in your heart you know you care

Simple pleasures can provide smiles
As we continue on for weary miles

LUIZA


A lovely way to start my day, thank you Robert.

Ruth said...

This was so cool, Robert. It's such a good exercise, to begin that quest of questions, in couplets. We could all keep it going ...

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no friends with whom to share?

Grace said...

Lovely pairing. But what is B & Q?

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks, all.

Andy - yes, I had fun with that pun. But I think actually that you are the (spiritual) better ware salesman!

Ruth - What is this life if, full of care, / We have no urge to risk and dare?

Grace - B & Q is a nationeide DIY store here in the UK. If you want a screw of a certain gauge, or a paint of a particular hue - they've got it. I was punning again with the 'Q' (queue).

Amanda Summer said...

how wonderful - esp this memorable couplet

No time to see, in neon light,
Stores full of dross and tat and shite:


......and so glad to learn what b & q is!

The Solitary Walker said...

Are you sure you're not being facetious about the memorability of that couplet, Amanda? ;)

Your world knowledge is certainly broadened, I'm sure,
Now that you know B & Q is a UK hardware store ...

George said...

I enjoyed this, Robert. Sorry I'm late in getting here and perhaps in missing some of your other postings recently. It's been a rather challenging month. Great to be back, however.

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks, George. Good to have you back!