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JOSIE'S POEMS

Reflective/Discussion Poems

By Josie Whitehead

LEISURE by W H Davies

T S Davies, in his poem "Leisure" asks the question:  "What life is this, if full of care, we have no time to stop and stare" and it is a question we should ask ourselves regularly.  I think we should also ask ourselves why we have no time to refresh ourselves in the world of nature or even to find time to give to other people who may appreciate it.  We have to remind ourselves that others may need our kind words to help them through their day. This is a "shadow-poem" of his poem 'Leisure.'

Stressed Man

WHAT LIFE IS THIS?

By Josie Whitehead

What Life is This?

What life is this of work and stress,
With thoughts just of one’s own success?
     When there’s no wish to stop and see
     The trees, the flowers or tiny bee:

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When you don’t hear the sweet birdsong
Or can’t say sorry when you’re wrong.
     A world where greed and human gain
     Cause droughts, and famines - human pain:

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A world in which some just don’t care
For those with whom this earth they share.
     Where some don’t hear sad human cries,
     But turn away with blinded eyes:

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Where global warming’s just two words
Which some seem never to have heard.
     They close their ears and shut their hearts
     As hate moves in and love departs:

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What life is this?  It’s sad, it’s poor –
It’s one that most could not endure.
     What life is this?  It's not for me
      And most folk will, I think, agree.

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Copyright on all my poems

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