From: Chuck Darling

We'd, Oct 4, 2023

Re: Random First Opening,

       Poems of John Clare (1935)

Poems written at Helpstone

1924-32

 

 

ENGLAND, 1830  

                     by John Clare

 

These vague allusions to a country's wrongs.

Where one says "Ay" and others answer 'No'

in contradiction from a thousand tongues

Till like to prison-cells her freedoms grow

Bebwebbed with these oft-repeated songs

Of peace and plenty in the midst of woe-

And is it thus they mock her year by year,

Telling poor truth unto her face she lies,

Declaiming of her wealth with gibe severe,

So long as taxes drain their wished supplies?

And will these jallers rivet every chain

Anew, yet loudest in their mockery be,

To damn her into madness with disdain,

Forging new bonds and bidding her be free?

 

THOU spirit of creation, breathing still

O'er each winged year unwearied time doth bring,

Thou warmth called nature, whose mysterious skill

Returns in glory to renew the spring,

Awakening beauty in its wild extremes

As the earth quickens at thy wondrous power,

Hovering around us like to pleasant dreams

With sudden visits of each leaf and flower;

Thou mighty presence, thou all-cheering sun,

That gilt care's desert when the world begun,

Thou still remain'st the poetry of life,

The warmth that cherishes eternity,

A joy that triumphs o'er the world's rude strife

A hope that pictures what the next may be.