"If ever I saw blessing in the air
I see it now in this still early day
Where lemon-green the vaporous morning drips
Wet sunlight on the powder of my eye.
Blown bubble-film of blue, the sky wraps round
Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod
Splutters with soapy green, and all the world
Sweats with the bead of summer in its bud.
If ever I heard blessing it is there
Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are
Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound
Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.
Pure in the haze the emerald sun dilates,
The lips of sparrows milk the mossy stones,
While white as water by the lake a girl
Swims her green hand among the gathered swans.
Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick,
Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;
Now, as my low blood scales its second chance,
If ever world were blessed, now it is."
From 'April Rise' - Laurie Lee, 1914 - 1997.
Think of Laurie Lee and invariably thoughts of 'Cider With Rosie' and 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' come to my mind, both books encountered and enjoyed during school days. It came as a complete surprise to me last week when watching 'Countryfile' to learn that Laurie Lee also wrote poetry. The programme explained how this year marks the centenary of Lee's birth and on the 26th June 2014 the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust will unveil the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way. This trail will consist of a six mile circular walk around the Slad Valley, which was the setting for 'Cider With Rosie'. The walk will take in some of Gloucestershire's nature reserves and will include ten new larch posts, each over five feet tall which will be inscribed with Laurie Lee's poems all inspired by the local landscape. The poem 'April Rise' was mentioned in the programme by his daughter who read it to the poet shortly before his death. I will be looking out for more of Laurie Lee's poetry to fill in a huge missing gap.
I see it now in this still early day
Where lemon-green the vaporous morning drips
Wet sunlight on the powder of my eye.
Blown bubble-film of blue, the sky wraps round
Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod
Splutters with soapy green, and all the world
Sweats with the bead of summer in its bud.
If ever I heard blessing it is there
Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are
Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound
Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.
Pure in the haze the emerald sun dilates,
The lips of sparrows milk the mossy stones,
While white as water by the lake a girl
Swims her green hand among the gathered swans.
Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick,
Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;
Now, as my low blood scales its second chance,
If ever world were blessed, now it is."
From 'April Rise' - Laurie Lee, 1914 - 1997.
Think of Laurie Lee and invariably thoughts of 'Cider With Rosie' and 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' come to my mind, both books encountered and enjoyed during school days. It came as a complete surprise to me last week when watching 'Countryfile' to learn that Laurie Lee also wrote poetry. The programme explained how this year marks the centenary of Lee's birth and on the 26th June 2014 the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust will unveil the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way. This trail will consist of a six mile circular walk around the Slad Valley, which was the setting for 'Cider With Rosie'. The walk will take in some of Gloucestershire's nature reserves and will include ten new larch posts, each over five feet tall which will be inscribed with Laurie Lee's poems all inspired by the local landscape. The poem 'April Rise' was mentioned in the programme by his daughter who read it to the poet shortly before his death. I will be looking out for more of Laurie Lee's poetry to fill in a huge missing gap.
I saw that on Country File and like you was unaware of his poetry - I have all his books which I think are so evocative and beautifully written - they have been read many times by me and no doubt will be read many more. The poem is beautiful, he has such a way with words.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased that I sat down to watch 'Countryfile' to discover that there is Laurie Lee poetry waiting to be read Elaine :) As you say his books are beautifully written Elaine and so I'm expecting more of the same vein as far as the poems go.
DeleteWhat a lovely poem, it is new to me. I haven't read 'Cider with Rosie' for years. I think I must read it again. Thanks Anna.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure to share this poem Chloris. I've not read 'Cider with Rosie' for years either and I believe that a new edition will be published to mark the centenary. May well treat myself :)
DeleteThe colours in your photo are spot-on, Anna - absolutely perfect! I have to confess to not having read any Laurie Lee (well, I can't have read everything, can I? I mean, have you?), so I clearly have a lot more reading to do. And I will - I promise! I like the concept of the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way though :)
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for your comment Cathy. I've a feeling that I may have used this photo to illustrate a post before but it just seemed to fit the poem. I've long been at the stage where I realise that I will never read everything I want to published or still in the pipeline unless I can be gifted multiple eyes. Do try and make time to read his books though. I'm sure that you would relish them.
Deletelemon green drips wet sunlight ... what a perfect description
ReplyDeleteIt's just perfect Diana along with "and all the world
DeleteSweats with the bead of summer in its bud."
Oh to have such a gift with words!
Wonderful piece, and must find out more about Laurie Lee!
ReplyDeleteYou will not be disappointed guys :)
DeleteWhile reading through the poem - which is really lovely - I kept looking back up at your photo. It goes so well! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment Cathy - I'm blushing. I thought that somewhere in my archives I had a photo which complemented the poem - only issue is that it was taken in June but don't tell :)
DeleteIt's a nice part of the world over there. I've relatives near Stroud, great place for walking.
ReplyDeleteWe must get down to that part of the world for a few days in the camper van Rob. Have only ever really skimmed through Gloucestershire but we've glimpsed looks most attractive.
DeleteThanks for introducing me to Laurie Lee, Anna. I love poetry and your picture is so pretty and well chosen, evoking the spirit of the season. I hope you have a fabulous spring!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome Annette and wishing you a most fabulous spring too :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful poem, I must find more as I didn't realise, until watching Countryfile, that he wrote poems.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the snippet on 'Countryfile' was an eye opener for a few folk Pauline. i'm certainly looking forward to reading more of his poetry.
DeleteI haven't read anything from Laurie Lee, though I've got Cider With Rosie on my Books To Read list. The Laurie Lee Wildlife Way sounds fabulous, I wish it was in my neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteOh do read it Jo - you are in for an absolute treat. I wish that the Wildlife Way was a tad nearer but maybe one of these days we will get there ......
Delete