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A Plain Life
by
William Henry Davies


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No idle gold -- since this fine sun, my friend,
Is no mean miser, but doth freely spend.

No precious stones -- since these green mornings show,
Without a charge, their pearls where'er I go.

No lifeless books -- since birds with their sweet tongues
Will read aloud to me their happier songs.

No painted scenes -- since clouds can change their skies
A hundred times a day to please my eyes.

No headstrong wine -- since, when I drink, the spring
Into my eager ears will softly sing.

No surplus clothes -- since every simple beast
Can teach me to be happy with the least.


This poem is in the public domain.

 

 


William Henry Davies (1871-1940) was a Welsh poet who started out as a rounder but ended up a respected poet. Raised by grandparents after his father died and his mother remarried, William was inclined toward a life of adventure; he traveled by boat to North America repeatedly before losing a leg in attempting to jump a train. He eventually returned to England, wrote a book about his wandering years, paid and starved his way into becoming a published poet and, eventually, gained equal standing with such contemporaries as Yeats and Ezra Pound.

 


Post New Comment:
paradea:
Love these sentiments!
Posted 03/01/2020 03:55 PM
cork:
Gifts of nature.
Posted 03/01/2020 12:34 PM
WC poetry:
Lovely.
Posted 03/01/2020 12:04 PM
Jean Colonomos-1:
such a good message.
Posted 03/01/2020 10:25 AM


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