Anna Maria

On the 2nd June, 1820 Anna Maria was born.  John and Patty had been married for less than 3 months, and were living back in the tiny cottage in Helpston with John’s mother and father.  In time it would become very crowded indeed.

My Anna summer laughs in mirth
& we will of the party be
& leave the crickets in the hearth
For green fields merry minstrelsy

I see thee now with little hand
Catch at each object passing bye
The happiest thing in all the land
Except the bee & butterfly

& limpid brook that leaps along
Gilt with the summers burnished gleam
Will stop thy little tale or song
To gaze upon its crimping stream

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below

The hymn of day break

List to the hymn of day break when the woods 

Echo in harmony where lark & thrush 
& blackbirds music thrilling low & loud 
Ah didst thou witness 
What the morning is when sun beams sweet 
As curdling through the dewy misted panes 
Checkers the wall & urges thee to rise 
Couldst thou but tell 
What charms which Ign'rance passes unconcernd

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below

The vixen

Among the taller wood with ivy hung
The old fox plays & dances round her young
She snuffs & barks if any passes bye
& swings her tail & turns prepared to fly

The horseman hurries bye she bolts to see
& turns agen from danger never free
If any stands she runs among the poles
& barks & snaps & drives them in the holes
The shepherd sees them & the boy goes bye
& gets a stick & progs the hole to try
They get all still & lie in safety sure
& out again when every things secure
& start & snap at blackbirds bouncing bye
To fight & catch the great white butterfly

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below

Mossy walls

The weed-based arches walls that stride

Oer where the meadow water falls

Will turn thee from thy path aside

To gaze upon the mossy walls

& limpid brook that leaps along

Gilt with the summers burnished gleam

Will stop thy little tale or song

To gaze upon its crimping stream

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below

Ramping kecks

Where beesom weed—that high wind leaves

Blossoms and blooms above the eaves

The old cow-crib is mossed and green

As if it just had painted been

The ramping kecks in orchard gaps

Shake like green neighbours in white caps

On which the snail will climb and dwell

For three weeks in its painted shell

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below

Rural sports of May

& dear to him the rural sports of May
When each cot-threshold mounts its hailing bough
& ruddy milkmaids weave their garlands gay
Upon the green to crown the earliest cow
When mirth & pleasure wear a joyful brow
& join the tumult with unbounded glee
The humble tenants of the pail & plough
He lovd old sports by them revivd to see
But never car[‘d ]to join in their rude revelry

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below

Natures beauty

There have I sat by many a tree
& leaned oer many a rural stile
& conned my thoughts as joys to me
Nought heeding who might frown or smile
Twas natures beauty that inspired
My heart with rapture not its own
And shes a fame that never tires
How could I feel myself alone

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below