the Reading Rota or, more informally, The Cuckoo Song, isn't about the approach of summer, but its arrival. "Sumer is icumen in" is frequently mistranslated, but "icumen" means it has come, as the presence of the cuckoo implies, and it's here, nu (now). Summer, that is. If this thought is nu to you, if your bank holiday skies are grey, and cold raindrops falling down your neck, you might not be in the mood for such a loud, sweet, jolly Poem of the Week. On the other hand, The Cuckoo Song could cheer you up. Especially if you can find a group of people to sing it with you--in a gorgeous West Country accent.from Carol Rumens: The Guardian: Books blog: Poem of the week: The Cuckoo Song
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