Walking with John Clare (Ch.7)

From the Introduction:

If Clare saw something particularly interesting, he would stop and look. A bird, a butterfly, a cloud formation, an encounter with a girl. We owe so much of what we enjoy of his work to his ability when walking to stop and pay close attention.  If he came upon a well-loved view, he stopped and stared at it afresh, sometimes ‘dropping’ down and recording this thoughts. 

The Poet strolls out in the divinity of the fields catching at flowers & budding twiggs for very joy & lolling over an old [gate] post wreathed with ivy by the fingers of many a Springs return    he gazes on the madness of rapture & every thought he feels is the essence of poesy inspired by the lovely objects around him     getting under a tree fullest in leaf to read Thompson & putting in a primrose between the leaves for a mark & pledge of spring instead of doubling down the leaves    

Without doubt, the creation of a great amount of Clare’s poetry and prose is owed not to the desk and quill, but to the sore feet of dozens of miles of walking the tracks and paths around his native village.  We can join with him at any time, and be transported into another world.

Walking with John Clare (Arbour Chapbook No. 7 - of double length) is available from me at £7.00 + £1.00 towards postage and packing (UK).  

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