Thursday, March 30, 2006

Weekend assignment #105 Poetry In Motion

Weekend Assignment #105: Share a favorite poem.

Oh John, how can I choose?  I have so many favorites!  Can't I cheat and share two?  Hey, it's my journal.  Of COURSE I can!

"LEISURE" By Wm. 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.

I like this one so well because I've lived most of my life according to it.  And I still do.

Now, my second choice:

WAITING by John Burroughs
           
Serene, I fold my hands and wait,
    Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more 'gainst Time or Fate,
    For lo! My own shall come to me.

I stay my haste, I make delays,
    For what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the eternal ways
    And what is mine shall know my face.

Asleep, awake, by night or day,
    The friends I seek are seeking me;
No wind can drive my bark astray,
    Nor change the tide of destiny.

What matter if I stand alone?
    I wait with joy the coming years;
My heart shall reap where it hath sown,
    And garner up its fruit of tears.

The waters know their own, and draw
    The brook that springs in yonder heights;
So flows the good with equal law
    Unto the soul of pure delights.

The stars come nightly to the sky;
    The tidal wave comes to the sea;
Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,
    Can keep my own away from me.

Extra Credit: Ever write poetry yourself?

I am writing a poem every day this year.  Mostly mediocre ones, but it's good therapy for me, and also good discipline. 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

He couldn't have asked a better question for you, eh ?!! lol...

Anonymous said...

I liked both of these poems. I'm glad John picked this assignment so I can read some good poems people will post. thanks :)

betty

Anonymous said...

I like both of them and he did set the assignment right up your ally. Helen

Anonymous said...

The extra credit is so fitting to you. Keep on writing. Paula

Anonymous said...

if we lived fairly close to one another ... it would be a good thing to have a "poetry night"....and you could read poems to us for a while...what a satisfying time that would be...Hugs from KY...Ora

Anonymous said...

thanks for the wonderful poems. I haven't written poetry in years, Since grade school and they made me.

Anonymous said...

John HAD to have you in mind when he assigned this one!  Go mom!

Anonymous said...

I do a little writing too, but I'd not want to attempt one every day...  but here's a recent poem I did.   http://journals.aol.com/inquestoftruth/InQuestOf/entries/1025
I hope that link takes you there.....
~Meg

Anonymous said...

Good choices'! I love both.~Diane~ http://journals.aol.com/dizarra/StorysFromtheCityTalesFromtheSea                                                                                                    

Anonymous said...

So, you're not going to share one?
-Paul
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/journal4/
(I was going to include my cowboy poem, but I changed my mind at the last minute)

Anonymous said...

Maybe I'm just uncultured when it comes to poetry -- but I have read your work and it strikes a chord in me that these 'lauded' poets never have.  

Russ

Anonymous said...

I like these. I like yours too.

Anonymous said...

I like these. They are beautiful.  But, so far, my favorite that you've had in your journal was the April Fools poem.  That made me go from sadness to laughter!
Pamela

Anonymous said...

If it makes you happy, your poetry is by no means mediocre.

Anonymous said...

Great poems!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)