What is This Life if Full of Care

[Pieces of My Life]

“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.”

Remember these lines by William Henry Davies? These are from the poem “Leisure”. I remember reading this poem some time in school, maybe in the 5th standard or lower…can’t quite recall.

At that age, it seemed pretty relatable, given that I did not find “adequate” time to stare at the hills from my balcony or to draw scenes from books and from the neighbourhood or to read all the story books and novels that I wanted to. I remember that I was quite touched by the truth of the lines…sounds weird, doesn’t it? 😜

Little did I know back then that the truth behind each syllable was harsher than it had seemed to be. When I recall the lines now, the starkness of each word hits my skin ruthlessly. Now, when I hardly have the luxury to spend quality time with my family or friends or even with myself.

Strange, isn’t it, how spare time can become a luxury at some point of life?

A few days back, I was scribbling down the first two lines of the poem on my notebook. I often scribble or doodle in the middle of work. It’s my means of escaping from reality.

Anyway, my pen eventually went on scribbling more lines, ones that weren’t part of the poem. Each word was dipped in remorse. I know it doesn’t sound inviting but I’d like to share these with you. Who knows, maybe these are your lines, too.

What is this life if full of care?
There is no time to stand and stare.

No time to see the souls that we have stained,
No time to touch the hearts that have withered,
No time to stand and wash away tears in the rain,
No time to heal the scars that we have carved.

Running around in circles, trying to catch the tail.
Or climbing the steps of the old hamster wheel.
Throwing our lives on a roulette of ashes,
Gambling away our feelings for a shadow of what we need.

What is this life, devoid of any care,
Of love for self, for freedom and all that was once fair.