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William Henry Davies (3 July 1871 – 26 September 1940 / Monmouthshire / Wales)
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William Henry Davies was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. His father was, at the time a Publican. After an apprenticeship as a picture-frame maker and a series of labouring jobs, he travelled to America, first to New York and then to the Klondike.
He returned to England after an accident whilst jumping a train in Canada, he lost a foot. Upon his return to Britain he led a poor, hard life living in London lodging houses and as a pedlar in the country. He married in 1923, Emma, who was much younger than he. His first poems were published when he was 34.
Most of his poetry is on the subject of nature or life on the road and exhibits a natural simple, earthy style. He... more »
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Quotations
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''What is this life if, full of care,
William Henry Davies (1871-1940), British poet. Leisure, Songs of Joy (1911).
We have no time to stand and stare?''
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''And I could see that child's one eye
William Henry Davies (1871-1940), British poet. The Inquest (l. 25-28). OxBTC. Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century English Verse, The. Philip Larkin,...
Which seemed to laugh, and say with glee:
'What caused my death you'll never know—
Perhaps my mother murdered me.'
''
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''I turned my head and saw the wind,
William Henry Davies (1871-1940), British poet. The Villain (l. 7-10). OxBTC. Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century English Verse, The. Philip Larkin, ...
Not far from where I stood,
Dragging the corn by her golden hair,
Into a dark and lonely wood.''
The man could see a century into the future. What a pitch perfect description of the Obama economic plan: Poor men need not go up so much as rich men should come down. Shared misery. Amen.
Can the poem 'Sheep' by W H Davies be published on this site?