The fen? A flat and featureless morass, with no noticeable landmarks. A mysterious world apart, a vast land of water with so little cover that exposure to the elements was a daily hazard? But Clare found beauty all his life in the common, the ordinary, the natural landscape of the low fen, the water-world he loved with a passion. He remembers them when they were barren and desolate, with the pollarded willows reflected in the water, but also when they were green and dotted with wild-flowers.
The lake that held a mirror to the sun
Now curves with wrinkles in the stillest place
The autumn wind sounds hollow as a gun
& water stands in every swampy place
Yet in these fens peace harmony & grace
The attributes of nature are alied
The barge with naked mast in sheltered place
Beside the brig close to the bank is tied
While small waves plashes by its bulky side
Now curves with wrinkles in the stillest place
The autumn wind sounds hollow as a gun
& water stands in every swampy place
Yet in these fens peace harmony & grace
The attributes of nature are alied
The barge with naked mast in sheltered place
Beside the brig close to the bank is tied
While small waves plashes by its bulky side
We can see here that even as late at the autumn of 1841, whilst walking the fens close to the Northborough cottage, even in his mental confusion, Clare’s rich vision and precise turn of phrase had not deserted him.
In these scenes, he refused to see the gloomy and depressing aspects. The fens may have been watery and barren, but not for Clare. He wrote with emotion, feeling, and a good deal of thought about these unassuming scenes, reflecting even the day-to-day work of the inarticulate peasants, as well as the beauties of their native landscape.
Published in March 2021, The Naked Fen is priced at £3.50 + £1 P&P. To order by email drop me a message on arborfield@gmail.com OR send me a message via facebook.
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