A second spring

 

Is there another world for this frail dust

To warm with life and be itself again?

Something about me daily speaks there must,

And why should instinct nourish hopes in vain?

'Tis nature's prophesy that such will be,

And everything seems struggling to explain

The close sealed volume of its mystery.

Time wandering onward keeps its usual pace

As seeming anxious of eternity,

To meet that calm and find a resting place.

E'en the small violet feels a future power

And waits each year renewing blooms to bring,

And surely man is no inferior flower

To die unworthy of a second spring?

The Instinct of Hope by John Clare.

Comments

[Christine Coleman]

Hi Karen
I do like John Clare! I hadn't come across this one before, but as I was scrolling down from line to line, I guessed it must be one of his.
The picture is beautiful too - thank you!

[Rosie]

Have you come across _Natures[sic]_Powers_and_Spells_ by Carry Akroyd? If not, do seek a copy out:it is a lavishly-illustrated book about John Clare's influence on Akroyd's art. She lives in the same part of Northants that he di.

[Cornflower]

You're welcome, Christine!

[Cornflower]

Thankyou, Rosie, I've added that book to my wishlist.

[Julie Fredericksen]

What a lovely poem, and new to me.

This is off subject for your post, but I must tell you I came across a book by Kate Atkinson at a consignment shop this weekend. The price was right, so I bought it. ("When Will There Be Good News?") I note that she lives in Edinburgh and the book is mostly set there. Is she well known and/or popular in Scotland and/or England? Is she a respected author? I did enjoy the book a lot!

[Cornflower]

Kate Atkinson is very well known, and I've heard great things of her Edinburgh books though I've yet to read them.

[Julie Fredericksen]

I learned that the K.A. book I read is the third in the Jackson Brodie series, but it didn't matter too much. It stood on its own except for one question as to how Brodie acquired his wealth. I will definitely read the other two if I can obtain them.