'Summer' by John Clare

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Come we to the summer, to the summer we will come,
For the woods are full of bluebells and the hedges full of bloom,
And the crow is on the oak a-building of her nest,
And love is burning diamonds in my true lover's breast;
She sits beneath the whitethorn a-plaiting of her hair,
And I will to my true lover with a fond request repair;
I will look upon her face, I will in her beauty rest,
And lay my aching weariness upon her lovely breast.The clock-a-clay is creeping on the open bloom of May,
The merry bee is trampling the pinky threads all day,
And the chaffinch it is brooding on its grey mossy nest
In the whitethorn bush where I will lean upon my lover's breast;
I'll lean upon her breast and I'll whisper in her ear
That I cannot get a wink o'sleep for thinking of my dear;
I hunger at my meat and I daily fade away
Like the hedge rose that is broken in the heat of the day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Summer" by John Clare: A Celebration of Nature's Abundance

When John Clare wrote "Summer" in 1832, he was in the midst of his most productive and creative period as a poet. His love for the natural world, especially the rural landscapes of his native Northamptonshire, shines through in this masterpiece of English poetry. In this essay, I will attempt to provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "Summer," exploring its themes, structure, language, and imagery.

The Poem's Structure and Overall Meaning

"Summer" is a poem of 24 stanzas, each consisting of 6 lines, with a regular ABABCC rhyme scheme. The poem begins with a description of how summer transforms the landscape and the lives of the people who live in it. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its vivid images of "the summer's yellow dust" and "the dimpled water-mouse."

As the poem progresses, Clare celebrates the abundance of life that summer brings: the "thousand blended notes" of birdsong, the "buzzing flies" and "beetles' din," the "hedgehog starting from the corn." He also describes the joys of summertime activities, such as fishing, swimming, and wandering through fields and meadows.

But "Summer" is not just a celebration of the season's pleasures. It also contains a warning about the fleeting nature of summer and the inevitable approach of autumn and winter. The final stanzas of the poem are tinged with melancholy, as Clare reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

The Poem's Themes

One of the central themes of "Summer" is the power of nature to transform and renew. Clare portrays summer as a time of abundance and vitality, a time when the natural world is at its most vibrant and productive. This theme is reflected in the poem's imagery, which is full of references to growth, fertility, and the abundance of life.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the importance of observation and attention to detail. Clare's descriptions of the natural world are so vivid and precise that they bring the landscape to life before our eyes. This attention to detail is also reflected in the structure of the poem, which is carefully crafted to create a sense of rhythm and harmony.

A third theme that emerges in the later stanzas of the poem is the inevitability of change and decay. Although Clare celebrates the joys of summer, he is also aware of the fact that summer must come to an end and that autumn and winter are waiting in the wings. This theme is reflected in the poem's language, which becomes more somber and reflective as it progresses.

The Poem's Language and Imagery

One of the most striking features of "Summer" is its language, which is rich, evocative, and highly sensory. Clare uses a wide range of poetic techniques to create a sense of the natural world, including metaphor, simile, personification, and alliteration.

For example, in the first stanza, he describes the "yellow dust" of summer as "spangling thick the commons." This metaphorical description captures the visual impact of summer's pollen and dust on the landscape. Similarly, he describes the sound of the midsummer night as a "thousand blended notes" that "rise in bubbles from the shore." This personification of sound creates a sense of the natural world as a living, breathing entity.

But Clare's language is not just about creating sensory impressions. It is also infused with a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world around him. This is evident in the way he describes the flight of a butterfly as "a joy forever" and in the way he marvels at the "unseen flowers" that grow beneath our feet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Summer" is a masterpiece of English poetry that celebrates the natural world in all its abundance and vitality. Through its rich language, vivid imagery, and carefully crafted structure, the poem creates a sense of the season's pleasures and the fleeting nature of life. By paying close attention to the details of the natural world, Clare invites us to see the beauty and wonder that surrounds us every day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Summer: A Celebration of Nature and Life

John Clare's Poetry Summer is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joys of life. Written in the early 19th century, the poem captures the essence of a summer day in the English countryside, with its lush green fields, singing birds, and buzzing insects. It is a vivid and evocative portrayal of the natural world, seen through the eyes of a poet who is deeply connected to it.

The poem begins with a description of the summer morning, as the sun rises over the fields and the birds start their songs. The poet marvels at the beauty of the scene, and he is filled with a sense of wonder and joy. He writes:

"The morning sunbeams sweetly shine, And all the fields with dew are wet; The birds sing loud, the lambs do bleat, And all the world seems fresh and fine."

These lines capture the essence of a summer morning, with its freshness and vitality. The poet is clearly in awe of the natural world, and he revels in its beauty and abundance. He sees the world as a place of wonder and magic, where every moment is filled with possibility and joy.

As the day progresses, the poet continues to marvel at the beauty of the world around him. He watches as the bees buzz around the flowers, and he listens to the sound of the river as it flows through the fields. He writes:

"The bees are humming round the flowers, The river murmurs soft and low; The breeze is blowing through the bowers, And all the world is in a glow."

These lines are a testament to the poet's deep connection to nature. He sees the world as a living, breathing entity, filled with energy and vitality. He is attuned to the rhythms of the natural world, and he revels in its beauty and complexity.

As the day draws to a close, the poet reflects on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. He writes:

"The sun is sinking in the west, The birds are hushed, the flowers are dead; The world is sinking into rest, And all its beauty soon will fade."

These lines are a poignant reminder of the transience of life, and the impermanence of all things. The poet is aware that the beauty of the natural world is fleeting, and that it will soon be gone. But even in the face of this impermanence, he remains filled with a sense of wonder and joy. He sees the world as a place of infinite possibility, where every moment is precious and filled with meaning.

In conclusion, John Clare's Poetry Summer is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the joys of life. It is a vivid and evocative portrayal of the natural world, seen through the eyes of a poet who is deeply connected to it. The poem is a testament to the power of nature to inspire and uplift us, and to the importance of living in the moment and cherishing every precious moment of life. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and delight readers to this day.

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