William Henry Davies or WH Davies (1871 - 1940) was a Welsh poet and writer.
He spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or vagabond in the United States and United Kingdom, but became known as one of the most popular poets of his time.
The theme of his works mainly relate to the marvels of nature, observations about life's hardships, his tramping adventures and characters he met.
In his poetry Davies drew extensively on his experiences with the seamier side for material.
He is generally best known for the first two lines of the following poem.
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 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 is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies
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