Statue of W,H,Davies
Stand And Stare - A bronze sculpture by Paul Bothwell Kincaid. Standing 10 feet high, in Commercial Street, a pedestrianised shopping area in Newport, Gwent, Wales.
"Tall bronze sculpture of figure draped in cloth, entwined with tree, two birds either side of figure. Commissioned by Newport Borough Council with assistance from the Welsh Arts Council and a Welsh Development Agency Town Improvement Grant. It was unveiled on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the poet's death in 1940, by Councillor Harry G. Jones, Mayor of Newport, in December 1990 Sculpture commemorates the life and work of Newport born poet, W.H. Davies. Described as Newport's super-tramp poet. The work is based around his best known lines: 'What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare'. The sculpture represents a spirit figure enshrined within the body of the tree of life. It is a 'visually dramatic memorial of man returning to his roots, being evocative of the mysteries of nature, it invites contemplation of the very nature of life'. The spirit figure is enshrined within the tree of life, attended by two birds signifying the poet's creativity and freedom of expression.
His most popular poem is
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 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.
