"Thrice Welcome to Thy Song Sweet Warbling Thrush"

Thrice welcome to thy song, sweet warbling thrush;
May you be happy as you still have been.
The present sunshine warms your covert bush,
The future clouds you know not what they mean.
Vain foolish thought, and why should ye be sad?
Why be like me with ills to come oprest,
To pass the present bliss that may be had
And wait on sorrow as a welcome guest?
No, sing thou on and let me sorrow still;
I can't be happy be it as it will.
In vain the sun gleams thro' the prison grate
To cheer the felon that's condemn'd to dye.
His soul in anguish mourns impending fate;
Such pains are his and such a one am I.


An early sonnet by John Clare (1793-1864)




What dreary weather for mid-May!  As it rained relentlessly I spent all day turning out some things I no longer need, ready to donate to my favourite charity shop in Chesham.  Helen & Douglas House was the world's first children's hospice, and now supports terminally ill children and young adults, and their families, in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and parts of London.

We learnt of more sad news in my family today - Mum called to say that Uncle Harry, who was married to her late sister Ruth, passed away on Tuesday night.  Out of both sides of the family, only Mum and her brother Bob are now left from their generation.  I enjoyed spending time with all of my aunties and uncles through the years and remember them all, including Uncle Harry, with much love and affection.