Leisure -- by W. H. Davies

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Leisure — 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 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.

Summary: "Leisure" is a poem by Welsh poet W. H. Davies that explores the theme of the importance of taking time to appreciate life amidst the pressures of modern society. The poem begins by questioning the hurry and busyness of the world, suggesting that we rarely have time to stand still and observe the beauty around us. The speaker describes various aspects of nature and everyday life that people often overlook due to their preoccupation with work and responsibilities.

The poem emphasizes the value of slowing down and finding moments of leisure to truly appreciate life's simple pleasures, such as observing the beauty of nature, watching the clouds, or listening to birdsong. It contrasts the idea of being too caught up in the pursuit of material wealth and success with the joy of being present in the moment.

Overall, "Leisure" encourages readers to reconsider their priorities and make time for leisure and contemplation amidst the fast-paced demands of modern life. It reminds us that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the ability to appreciate and savor the world around us.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth VIII, 2024

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I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud 

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

William Wordsworth (1770–1850) was a renowned English poet of the Romantic era. He, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, published "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, a work that marked the beginning of the Romantic movement in English literature. Wordsworth is known for his celebration of nature, the ordinary, and the profound emotions of human experience in his poetry. Notable works include "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," which features the famous lines about daffodils.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

On the Grasshopper and Cricket by John Keats, Class 9-10, 2024

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John Keats (1795-1821) was an English poet and physician who is considered a major figure in the Romantic movement. His work is still widely read today, and he is considered one of the most important poets of his age.

Nobody knows this little Rose by Emily Dickinson

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Success is Counted Sweetest by Emily Dickinson

Success is Counted Sweetest

by 

Emily Dickinson

"Little Red" by Jessica McDonald

Little Red

 by 

Jessica McDonald 

Once there was a girl,

And her name was Little Red,

She set off to her grandma’s house,

For Gram was sick in bed,

She wandered through the forest,

With her basket full of bread,

She ran into the Big Bad Wolf,

‘Where Are you going?’ he said.

‘I’m headed to my grandma’s house,

Can’t stop to talk,’ said Red.

The sneaky wolf, he made a plan,

And then away he sped.

When Red got to her Grandma’s house,

She saw her there in bed,

‘Oh, what big eyes, and ears, and teeth,

You have upon your head!’

‘The better to eat you with my dear’

The hungry wolf just said.

‘Please don’t eat me,’ said Little Red,

‘Just eat my bread instead.’

Summary of the poem: 

Be the Best of Whatever You Are by Douglas Malloch

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

by Douglas Malloch

 

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill

Be a scrub in the valley--but be

The best little scrub by the side of the rill;

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

 

If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,

And some highway some happier make;

If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass--

But the liveliest bass in the lake!

pine 

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,

There’s something for all of us here.

There’s big work to do and there’s lesser to do,

And the task we must do is the near.

 

An American Poet

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,

If you can’t be the sun be a star;

It isn’t by size that you win or you fail--

Be the best of whatever you are!

 

Word meanings

Scrub (noun) - an area of land covered with) short trees and bushes, growing on dry ground of low quality

Valley (noun) - an area of low land between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it; the land that a river flows through

Example: In the valley below cows were grazing peacefully.

Rill (noun) a shallow channel cut by water flowing over rock or soil

Muskie (noun) a type of fish

 Bass (noun) a type of fish found in rivers or the sea

 

Summary of the poem

Be the Best of Whatever You Are by Douglas Malloch motivates us to make the most of our circumstances, and be the best version of ourselves, regardless of our position or role in life. It emphasizes that it's not always about being in the most important position, but rather about doing our best and making a positive impact wherever we are.

The poem suggests that if we cannot be the most prominent tree on a hill, we should try to be the best small bush or scrub by a stream. If we cannot be a powerful muskie fish, we should aim to be the liveliest bass in the lake. It highlights that it's not about being the biggest or most powerful, but about being the best at what we do.

The poem also reminds us that not everyone can be a leader or a captain; there are roles for all of us. It encourages us to embrace the tasks at hand, whether they are big or small, and to give our best effort. It emphasizes that our value is not determined by our size or status but by how well we fulfill our potential and contribute positively to the world.

In summary, the poem is a reminder to be the best version of ourselves, to make the most of our abilities and circumstances, and to contribute positively in whatever role or position we find ourselves in.

Dear readers,

Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much to write. Moreover, any correction regarding the writings will be largely appreciated and valued, and you can ask me any grammatical question regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.

 Prepared by

Md. Saiful Alam

BA Honours, BEd (1^st Class) and MA in English

An MPO registered Assistant Teacher of English

Machkhola Secondary School, Satkhira

Email: suman64924@gamil.com