Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries. In this series we look at individual poets who have shaped and influenced their craft and cement their place in our heritage. In this volume we look at the works of John Clare.
John Clare was born on July 13th 1793 in Helpston, a few miles north of Peterborough.
Schooled only until the age of 12 his early career was that of agricultural labourer, pot boy, gardener, lime burner. His early life of hardships and frequent malnutrition led to his diminutive stature of only five feet and later health problems.
In 1920 his first poems were published and he began to earn his reputation as the “Northamptonshire Peasant Poet”.
His poetry sold well but only occasionally did that and other incomes keep his head above water. Married with seven children the burden was huge and demanding. Frequently penniless his health began to dissolve.
He last published in 1835 and by 1837 with his drinking out of control and his mental state shredded he entered a mental institution. He was to reside in such unhappy places until his death.
He died on at 71 on 20 May 1864. His remains were returned to Helpston for burial in St Botolph’s churchyard.
Today he is considered one of the greatest of English poets. His works on nature and the countryside earn him this just praise.
Many of these poems are available on our audiobooks samples of which can be found at our youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PortablePoetry?feature=mhee Complete volumes on many poets, themes and our other products can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores
Index Of Poems
First Love
Sumer Evening
An Invite To Eternity
Country Letter
Death
Decay
A World For Love
The Beautiful Stranger
All Nature Has A Feeling
Spear Thistle
Little Trotty Wagtail
Autumn Birds
Winter Walk
Snow Storm
Bantry Bay
Sport In The Meadows
The Gipsy’s Camp
What Is life
A Vision
The Maid Of Jerusalem
I Am
The Fox
The Vixen
The Skylark
The Thrush’s Nest
The Yellowhammer
The Early Nightingale
The Firetail’s Nest
The Cuckoo
Distant Hills
The Flood
Wood Rides
Hen’s Nest
Young Lambs
Sudden Shower
Inpromptu
The Vanities Of Life
Sunday Dip
Signs Of Winter
The Fear Of Flowers
To A Fallen Elm
The Fens
The Peasant Poet
The Poet’s Death
Love Cannot Die
Remembrances
The Instinct Of Hope
Night Wind
Love Lives Beyond The Tomb
Evening Primrose
Firwood
Nature’s Hymn To The Deity
The Mores
Graves Of Infants
Idle Fame
Now Is Past
November
The Old Year
Pleasures Past
Farewell And Defiance To Love
Earth’s Eternity
