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
A Message for us all
I learned this poem from elementary (a few decades ago!). For some reason, it’s being popping up in my spirit. I finally paid attention to it.
I forgot a couple of its verses and, thank goodness for Google, found it!
I know it’s a message for me and, probably you. It’s a message for us all, if we don’t already, to slow down and enjoy the stillness of nature’s beauty that surrounds us.
We all get caught up in the daily hustle, bustle, grind, rat race, dog-eat-dog world. But be still to enjoy nature’s beauty!
The poem was written in 1911 and still relevant today. We all get caught up in the daily hustle, bustle, grind, rat race, dog-eat-dog world. But be still to enjoy nature’s beauty! Our culture is so fast-paced such that if you’re not rolling with the pace, one feels out of place.
But, being still to enjoy those things we often deem mundane, is actually the good life. “Staring at sheep and cows or squirrels hiding their nuts in grass” may appear to some as idleness and not having a care in the world. The cares that come from worrying and being anxious about bills, friends, what to wear or eat, children, spouse, etc. The truth though is that such folks have given those cares to God.
Let’s be still and enjoy the good life which is not necessarily the one full of “things.” Things are good to have, but let’s not allow the things to possess us.
Take time to walk and stare at sheep and cows, including the squirrels hiding their nuts in grass, and the stars in the skies, and …. .
Peace
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