Lesley Cooke

Christchurch, UK

 

Lesley was thinking about WH Davies’ Leisure and how currently we do have ‘the time to stand and stare’ so she decided to write a 2020 version of it.  It was broadcast on BBC Radio Solent on 1^st May 2020.

 

Poem written 24^th April 2020

 

 

Leisure in a time of Lockdown                                                                   

 

What is this life if full of care
we’re not allowed in groups out there.

We’re not allowed to shop or browse
or lie outdoors like sheep or cows.
But time to walk in broad daylight
a pleasure now that time’s not tight,
and time to see in roads we pass
flowered verges long with grass.
And time to cycle, jog or run
to work from home, get baking done.
Without the long commute each day
we have the time to chat and play.                             
A poor life when – before this scare –
we had no time to stand and stare.