Relive the wonder of the playtime of Clare’s childhood. Every great poet has his special themes, his own voice, and his own integrity. John Clare is no exception. That individual voice remains even in the poems of his long asylum years.
Certain themes remain constant in his writing and in his life. Among such themes are childhood and its loss, early love with its disappointments but its constant emotional awakening, and the games that every boy and girl – and every man and woman – plays to the end of his or her life.
“There is nothing but poetry about the existance of childhood – real simple soul-moving poetry the laughter & joy of poetry & not its philosophy & there’s nothing of poetry about manhood but the reflection & remembrances of what had been nothing more” (Pet MS A46 p106)
Playing Games with John Clare (Arbour Chapbook No. 4) is available from me at £4 including postage and packing (UK). Not sure how much the postage would be to other parts of the world, but I'm sure I can let you know.
Kindle edition (PDF) is £1.50 - just send me a message: arborfield@pm.me
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