How To Use Mindful Poetry For Personal Growth

When was the last time you took a moment to simply "stand" and "stare?" This beautiful scene and the classic and timeless poem "Leisure" will inspire you to do so.

Engaging with mindful poetry is a powerful practice for personal growth and well-being. When your mind feels over-cluttered, do you search for a quiet corner to let go? In a world "full of care" as W. H. Davies wrote, poetry offers a quiet refuge. By exploring various poems, you can find a place to stand still and absorb the world, just as the speaker of the poem "Leisure" yearns to do. This practice allows you to reflect on your own emotions and see the world with a renewed sense of wonder. Take a moment to read and reflect on the poem.

“Leisure”, by W. H. Davies (1871-1940)  

  “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.”

Guided Questions:

What is your initial reaction to the poem?

Stated in the poem, a " beauty full smile "enrich [es]" her face. Think of a time when you experienced a moment of beauty that not only please you, but made your day. What was it?

What occasion (s) caused you to "stand" and "stare?"~ Make a list!