BRRRRRRRR...........!
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| "I love to see the old heath's withered brake / Mingle its crimpled leaves with furze and ling...." |
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| "...and coy bumbarrels.../ flit down the hedgerows in the frozen plain...." |
Happy Poetry Friday and Happy Holidays to you all. I'm posting a traditional winter poem today, John Clare's "Emmonsail's Heath in Winter." Clare was an English poet who wrote in the first half of the 1800's - his personal story is a sad one, but his love of the English countryside is uplifting. This particular poem touches on everything winter does to us, I think - makes us think of age, of slowing down, of shrubs and twigs and icy weather, but also of life amid the bare branches (the bouncing, chattering and flitting of birds) and the desire to "start again." In the meantime, the poem plays with words I don't hear any other place but in Clare's work - furze, ling, cloven roves, fieldfares and bumbarrels (bumbarrels!) Hope you enjoy it ~ and that your winter is a happy one.
The Poetry Friday round-up is being hosted today by the always interesting and delightful Diane Mayr over at Random Noodling. Head over there to see what other people have posted. And if you've ever had trouble understanding the way fiction works, or why you like certain novels, check out my last post over at Books Around the Table before heading out.
OMG! The profusion of birds and sounds in this little poem is great. I was just serenaded (not exactly a musical serenade) by my cat whose chattering was a result of a few cheeky sparrows outside the window. Birds and squirrels make winter bearable for me. Just barely.
ReplyDeleteWe had such a hot summer and warm autumn in Seattle that I couldn't wait for winter to set in. Now the first day of winter is still three days away and I'm sick of the rain and the gray skies - ready for spring! But as you say, Diane, the birds help!
DeleteOh Julie, I love this, love the way he brings us right into the grove. I know some, maybe from others at this time? But I had to look up "bumbarrels" and "ling". This is a man who knew his nature well. Thank you for sharing. We've had a big snow, and then back to very warm, then cold. So odd this year. Maybe soon winter will just settle? Happy Holidays to you. I've seen about the rain; hope it clears soon.
ReplyDeleteLinda, my brother tells me snow is predicted in the Seattle area for Christmas Eve day. My New Year's resolution: Adopt Clare's attitude toward winter - listen for the birds, know the names of the shrubs, forget road conditions, be happy!
DeleteThank you for this lovely walk on the heath!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting The Drift Record, Mary Lee!
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