Poet’s Corner
Inspired by a poem sent in from an avid reader of Moor Times (see ‘A Word From The Editor’) Poet’s Corner was started to encourage people to send in their most loved poem, whether it be well known or in fact written by themselves it makes no difference. The use of language in poetry, and in song, has always managed to touch people in a way that very few things can and invariably we all have a personal favourite. Here are some that readers have sent in. I hope you like them as well.
Submitted Poems
Leisure & Money O!
By C.O.Jones
Choosing a favourite poem is like choosing a favourite piece of music, it depends on what mood you’re in at the time. Having said that, there are always a few poems, or pieces of music, that are constantly in your top ten and you could pluck out anyone of them and be reasonably happy with the choice.
My favourite poem, at the moment, is ‘Leisure’ by W.H.Davies. This is partly because of the time of year – living in such a beautiful part of the world you would have to be crazy not to stop from time to time and have a ‘stare’. It is also good in that it reminds one of the reasons for being here. Whether you are retired, like me, or eking out a living in these difficult economic times, it is good advice.
Leisure by W. H. Davies
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.
William Henry Davies was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, the son of a publican.
After an apprenticeship as a picture-
He returned to England after having lost a foot jumping a train in Canada, where he led a penurious life in London lodging houses and as a pedlar in the country. He married in 1923, Emma, who was much younger than he. His first poems were published when he was 34.
Most of his poetry is on the subject of nature or life on the road and exhibits a
natural simple, earthy style. He also wrote two novels and autobiographical works,
his best known being Autobiography of a Super-
Another poem by William Henry Davies which I also find very profound is ‘Money, O!’.
Money, O!
When I had money, money, O!
I knew no joy till I went poor;
For many a false man as
a friend
Came knocking all day at my door.
Then felt I like a child that holds
A trumpet that he must not blow
Because a man is
dead; I dared
Not speak to let this false world know.
Much have I thought of life, and seen
How poor men's hearts are ever light;
And how
their wives do hum like bees
About their work from morn till night.
So, when I hear these poor ones laugh,
And see the rich ones coldly frown
Poor men,
think I, need not go up
So much as rich men should come down.
When I had money, money, O!
My many friends proved all untrue;
But now I have no money,
O!
My friends are real, though very few.
I was trying to think of something witty to summarize what I feel about these two poems and I couldn’t. I think if you read them you cannot fail to be inspired by William Henry’s way of getting to what really matters in life.