The poem Leisure is divided into seven rhyming couplets.

Couplet 1:
The poet, W. H. Davies, begins by questioning the purpose of a life which is so full of worry that it
does not allow us any time to simply stand still and watch the world go by.
In the next few couplets, he describes the various things that people are not able to do due to lack
of leisure.
Couplet 2:
Sheep and cows can often be seen standing still in vast open fields and staring into a distance.
People living a busy life would not posses the leisure to stand under the branches of trees and keep
gazing on and on like such ruminants.
Couplet 3:
W. H. Davies further adds that when such people pass a forest or a woodland, they would be in too
much of a hurry to notice the nooks and crannies in the grass where squirrels conceal their nuts.
They would not posses the leisure to notice the various aspects of the natural world around them.
Couplet 4:
In daylight, streams appear to be sparkling under the effect of sunshine making it seem as if the
streams are full of stars like the night sky. However, such beauties of nature are likely to be missed
by people overburdened by anxiety and living a life of haste without any leisure, remarks W.H.
Davies.
Couplets 5 and 6:
There are two ways of looking at the fifth and sixth couplets of the poem: literally and
metaphorically.
Looking at it literally- The poet states that the rush of life provides people with no leisure to turn
at the glance of a beautiful maiden and marvel at her dancing feet.
They are unable to leisurely observe her as her mouth shapes out a smile that started from her eyes.
Looking at it metaphorically- W.H. Davies has personified the beauty of the world around us
which many often fail to observe due to a lack of leisure. The dancing feet and enchanting smile
refers to various aspects of the beauty around us.
Couplet 7:
In the final couplet of the poem, Davies states that a life which is so bogged down by worry that it
allows one no time for leisure is indeed a miserable life. If you read the first couplet of Leisure
carefully, you will notice that although it ends with a full stop, (and is hence in the form of a
statement) it can also be interpreted as a question asked by the poet. In that case, the final couplet
can be seen as W. H. Davies answer to his own question.

The poem Leisure is divided into seven rhyming couplets.

Couplet 1:
The poet, W. H. Davies, begins by questioning the purpose of a life which is so full of worry that it
does not allow us any time to simply stand still and watch the world go by.
In the next few couplets, he describes the various things that people are not able to do due to lack
of leisure.
Couplet 2:
Sheep and cows can often be seen standing still in vast open fields and staring into a distance.
People living a busy life would not posses the leisure to stand under the branches of trees and keep
gazing on and on like such ruminants.
Couplet 3:
W. H. Davies further adds that when such people pass a forest or a woodland, they would be in too
much of a hurry to notice the nooks and crannies in the grass where squirrels conceal their nuts.
They would not posses the leisure to notice the various aspects of the natural world around them.
Couplet 4:
In daylight, streams appear to be sparkling under the effect of sunshine making it seem as if the
streams are full of stars like the night sky. However, such beauties of nature are likely to be missed
by people overburdened by anxiety and living a life of haste without any leisure, remarks W.H.
Davies.
Couplets 5 and 6:
There are two ways of looking at the fifth and sixth couplets of the poem: literally and
metaphorically.
Looking at it literally- The poet states that the rush of life provides people with no leisure to turn
at the glance of a beautiful maiden and marvel at her dancing feet.
They are unable to leisurely observe her as her mouth shapes out a smile that started from her eyes.
Looking at it metaphorically- W.H. Davies has personified the beauty of the world around us
which many often fail to observe due to a lack of leisure. The dancing feet and enchanting smile
refers to various aspects of the beauty around us.
Couplet 7:
In the final couplet of the poem, Davies states that a life which is so bogged down by worry that it
allows one no time for leisure is indeed a miserable life. If you read the first couplet of Leisure
carefully, you will notice that although it ends with a full stop, (and is hence in the form of a
statement) it can also be interpreted as a question asked by the poet. In that case, the final couplet
can be seen as W. H. Davies answer to his own question.