Class 9 2nd Poem Leisure By W.H. Davies

 Leisure

By W.H. Davies

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 and 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.

Difficult Words, Synonyms & Nepali Meanings

1.      Care → worry, anxiety, concern → चिन्ता, व्याकुलता

2.      Stare → gaze, look fixedly → टक्क हेर्नु, निहाल्नु

3.      Boughs → branches of a tree → रूखका ठूला हाँगा

4.      Beneath → under, below → मुनि, तल

5.      Broad daylight → clear light of day, open view → दिनको खुला उज्यालो

6.      Glance → quick look, glimpse → झलक, छिटो नजर

7.      Enrich → enhance, make richer, improve → समृद्ध बनाउनु, धनी बनाउनु

---

About the Poet (W. H. Davies)
W. H. Davies (1871–1940) was a Welsh poet and writer. He is best known for his simple yet thoughtful poems about nature, daily life, and the struggles of ordinary people.

Short Summary

The poem “Leisure” talks about the busy life of modern people. The poet says that because of too much worry and hurry, people do not have time to enjoy the simple beauties of nature—like trees, animals, squirrels, streams, or even the smile of beauty. He concludes that a life without time to stand and enjoy nature is a poor and wasted life. 

A. Match the words with their meanings.

a. stare- iv. to look at somebody or something for a long time

b. beneath- v. under somebody or something

c. woods- i. an area of trees

d. enrich – ii. to improve the quality of something

e. glance- iii. to look quickly at somebody or something

B. Answer the following questions.

a. Why is our life so miserable, according to the poet?

⇒ According to the poet, our life is so miserable because we have no time to stand and stare.

b. What do sheep and cows do in nature?

⇒ Sheep and cows stand beneath boughs and stare.

c. What do squirrels do in the woods?

⇒ Squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

d. What magic does Beauty perform?

⇒ Beauty (a beautiful girl) smiles and dances beautifully.

e. What is human life like, if observed carefully?

⇒ If observed carefully, human life is poor.