‘Oh, to be in England now that April’s here’ (revisited)
By Baldmichael Theresoluteprotector’sson
April is now over half way through but as my wife and I have just visited a beautiful local garden with swathes of spring flowers, I thought a little light refreshment is in order.
The bluebells are out and English bluebells are a true sight to behold, especially in woodland trails where the young leaves are opening on the trees. I have always loved the light streaming through them and very happily take photographs to display the glory of creation.
These are bluebell woods near us taken during April 2020 and the first lockdown.
As to the title, this in homage to Robert Browning’s poem Home-Thoughts, from Abroad which I quote below:
Oh, to be in England
Now that April’s there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England—now!
And after April, when May follows,
And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!
Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray’s edge—
That’s the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!
And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide wakes anew
The buttercups, the little children’s dower
—Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!
From
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43758/home-thoughts-from-abroad
According to Wikipedia, it was written in 1845 while Browning was on a visit to northern Italy
However, as this is my site and weird and wonderful can be obtained, I set out my own version for your delectation, my parody if you will. It was originally written as my alter ego, that is my real self. No doubt there will be an argument over copyright!
Oh, to be in England
Now that April’s here,
For April is my cousin
And she really is quite queer.
Her eyes are set too far apart
And with prominent front teeth
Her clothes are fit to bursting
Despite the corset underneath!
And after April, when May follows,
Her sister, skinny with a rake like frame
And voice to strip the paint off lead.
Makes a lion seem quite tame!
They always come this time of year
To Nice, the south of France
Their dress sense is appalling
The natives look askance.
They talk of horse and dogs
Their chatter makes me sick
So, pack the car and off we go,
I say to Jeeves, ‘England – quick!’
With (some) apologies to Robert Browning and P.G.Wodehouse
Written 21st April, 2020 (in England!)
By Baldmichael Theresoluteprotectors’son alter ego.
P.S. If poetry is your thing, then go to the Library link below which is on my WordPress site.
If you are feeling maudlin then there is this by Clifford T Ward written in 1973.
Clifford T Ward–Home Thoughts From Abroad
Beautiful poem Baldmichael and thanks for your creation? Now I know about seasonality in the stock market because of you and your relatives. When April/May get together and go to Nice, sell sell sell. The old adage “Sell in May (early) and go away.
My goodness, those bluebells! So incredibly delicate but en masse so impactful. So different than our Texas bluebonnets, which are in full bloom right now, but just as pretty! Thanks for sharing them (and the poetry!).