First Love, By john clare (1793 – 1864)

His passionate and perhaps slightly obsessive nature contributed to the effectiveness of his writing and unfortunately for him it also contributed to his disillusionment with life, he ended his days going mad and being put into an asylum.

The poem First Love is about a girl who stole his heart, despite his longing for her, they never got together.
It appears that among other things this contributed immensely to his mental anguish and eventual insanity.


The reason I have posted this is because I feel anyone who is so passionate and intense when it comes to love and life will be able to appreciate it and maybe even learn from his mistakes…

Incidentally he is said to have penned some of his best works whilst he was in the asylum. That’s pain for ya!!

Enjoy,


First Love
By John Clare (1793 – 1864)

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.