The Old Wise Man

Ever since I moved to Colorado two months back I've made it part of my daily routine to drive to Clement Park, which is only a few miles from my apartment, to get some exercise. The park has a beautiful lake and a 1.4 mile long sidewalk encompassing it which I like to run and roller blade around every morning. This morning I got up earlier than usual at 4:30 and went to the lake. I began running, my feet slapping the pavement, startling geese that flew with a splash into the still water of the lake. A rabbit, it's mouth full of grass, hopped off into the bushes as I breezed by, contemplating the errands I had to run today. About half way around the lake I saw an elderly man sitting quietly on a bench at the edge of the lake. I would've ran right past him without seeing him if he hadn't turned his head upon hearing me. He looked at me for a brief second or so and, realizing that I was just someone out for exercise and not some hoodlum up to no good, he went back to gazing out at the lake. The sight of the elderly man made me pause and I stopped running and planning the days errands. I stood quietly for a long while behind him and, while watching the sunrise I reflected on a poem I once read:


Leisure

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 or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrel hide their nuts in the grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Stream 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 is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.


William Henry Davies


I think the man has a good point...don't you?