"The Rain" by W. H. Davies

The Welsh-born William Henry Davies (1871-1940) wrote Wordsworthian nature poems but was more remarkable for the fact that, until he was over thirty, he was a hobo and peddler by choice, the subject of his Autobiography of a Super-tramp (1908). Here is one of the nature poems that he wrote.


THE RAIN
by W. H. Davies

I hear leaves drinking rain;
   I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
   Drop after drop;
'Tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,
   After this Rain shall stop,
A wondrous Light will fill
   Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;
'Twill be a lovely sight.

W. H. Davies