A reminder to get busy!

Posted on 16 July 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the Laudator:

Robert F. Murray (1863-1893), Indolence:

Fain would I shake thee off, but weak am I
  Thy strong solicitations to withstand.
  Plenty of work lies ready to my hand,
Which rests irresolute, and lets it lie.

How can I work, when that seductive sky
  Smiles through the window, beautiful and bland,
  And seems to half entreat and half command
My presence out of doors beneath its eye?

Will not the air be fresh, the water blue,
  The smell of beanfields, blowing to the shore,
    Better than these poor drooping purchased flowers?
Good-bye, dull books! Hot room, good-bye to you!
  And think it strange if I return before
    The sea grows purple in the evening hours.

Wow… is this a busy day.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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6 Comments

  1. Agnes says:
    16 July 2009 at 12:39 PM

    *How can I work, when that seductive sky
    Smiles through the window, beautiful and bland,
    And seems to half entreat and half command
    My presence out of doors beneath its eye?*

    And in St Paul, MN, what a gorgeous day. Laundry and dishes can wait. Get out into God’s Creation for the glory of his name and our well-being. Blogging can wait!

  2. Matthew says:
    16 July 2009 at 1:26 PM

    And in Vancouver, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, without a cloud in the sky… and I’m sitting here at my computer trying to write my thesis…

  3. Larry says:
    16 July 2009 at 1:34 PM

    Ah, if only we could all think like this and speak in such tones me thinks the world would be a better place. I’m outa here!

  4. Anthony says:
    16 July 2009 at 2:49 PM

    As an Arizona resident, I will be happy to identify with this beautiful poetry… in January! I’m looking forward to another 115 degree weekend – it’s a good reminder of where we don’t want to go!

  5. john uk says:
    16 July 2009 at 3:55 PM

    Bob Voyage and safe landing.

    John UK

  6. Thelma says:
    16 July 2009 at 6:33 PM

    Not the same level of poetry but my mother’s favorite nonetheless.

    I meant to do my work today,
    But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
    And a butterfly flitted across the field,
    And all the leaves were calling me.

    And the wind went sighing across the land,
    Tossing the grasses to and fro,
    And a rainbow held out its shining hand–
    So what could I do but laugh and go?

    Richard Le Gallienne

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