The Poetry Of John Clare

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