You’re asked to recite a poem (or song lyrics) from memory — what’s the first one that comes to mind? Does it have a special meaning, or is there another reason it has stayed, intact, in your mind?

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You ask me, sir,

Mr. Daily Prompt Man,

To recite a poem (or song),

From memory,

The first that comes to mind.

I could sing a song of tuppence or two,

I could even make up my own,

But a rote poem, Sir, 

That is mighty hard,

For I’ve left all my poetry schooling behind,

And I’ve not learnt formally, Sir,

To appreciate poetry, song or music,

I just play it by ear.

If you absolutely insist,

All I have is these lines by W.H. Davies,

“What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?”

—Linus Fernandes.