Great Regulars: Biography often concentrates on the tragedy

of John Clare, but his work is full of sound and sunlight, vigorous movement, delicious relaxation. During his final asylum years he wrote a short poem called "The Peasant Poet" (perhaps, after all, the title didn't displease him retrospectively). The little self-portrait that concludes it is the one I like to think best captures him. No, he is not a bard, but "A silent man in life's affairs/A thinker from a Boy/A Peasant in his daily cares--/The Poet in his joy."

The Gipsy Camp

from Carol Rumens: The Guardian: Books blog: Poem of the week: The Gipsy Camp

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