Leisure

While I'm not alone in reminiscing about the past and how much life has changed, even during my lifetime, I don't believe in harking back to a Golden Age. Modern life is not necessarily better or worse than in previous generations - just different. Or, to put it another way, there are aspects of modern life which are better and aspects which are worse - and some which are, arguably, both.

One of these areas is the joint rise of the smart phone and social networking. While being instantly connected to family, friends and news sources can be good, it can also be a drag, especially when trying to avoid information on a particular and popular event, say the F1 qualifying or Grand Prix, because you intend to watch it later.

I also find this instant connectivity and availability of information distracts me from taking time out to do other things, like spend time with a book or just to think. But there have always been distractions in life which is the subject of today's poem by William Henry Davies (1871 - 1940):

Leisure by William Henry 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 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.

Andrew