Rigorous Van Winkle

It’s been a minute,
Hasn’t it, since you
Sat and really watched

Clouds cross a blue sky,
Watched and did nothing
Else, watched the whole way,

Watched the better part
Of the day? Honest
Answers only, please.

Or how long’s it been
Since you sat under
A tree, just sat there

For an hour, only
Sitting and watching?
These activities

Live on in stories,
Mostly, now, old tales,
Children’s picture books.

Once, they signified
Dreamy character
Or sheer idleness,

But who among you
Can be that idle,
That disciplined, still?