First Love
I ne'er was struck before that hour With love so sudden and so sweet,
Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower And stole my heart away complete.
My face turned pale as deadly pale.
My legs refused to walk away,
And when she looked, what could I ail?
My life and all seemed turned to clay.
And then my blood rushed to my face And took my eyesight quite away,
The trees and bushes round the place Seemed midnight at noonday.
I could not see a single thing,
Words from my eyes did start — They spoke as chords do from the string,
And blood burnt round my heart.
Are flowers the winter's choice?
Is love's bed always snow?
She seemed to hear my silent voice,
Not love's appeals to know.
I never saw so sweet a face As that I stood before.
My heart has left its dwelling-place And can return no more
John Clare
Other author posts
Christmas
Christmas is come and every Makes room to give him welcome nowE'en want will dry its tears in And crown him wi' a holly Tho tramping 'neath a winters skyO'er snow track paths and rhymey
Early Nightingale
When first we hear the shy-come nightingales, They seem to mutter o’er their songs in fear, And, climb we e’er so soft the spinney rails, All stops as if no bird was anywhere
To Mary
I sleep with thee, and wake with thee, And yet thou art not there; I fill my arms with thoughts of thee, And press the common air
The Shepherds Calendar - May
Come queen of months in Wi all thy merry The restless cuckoo absent And twittering swallows chimney
