Give me the spring,
its light and hope,
or just some freshness to the air
and your uplifting smile.
We shall laugh and dance
in an April shower,
watch the sunrise together
by the empty bracing shore
You can tell me when it’s gone,
this all consuming darkness,
as the burgeoning sun
circles north to bless us
copyright Francis Barker 2020
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Where I grew up, which was once part of the Danelaw, we called it ‘keck’, a common name for cow parsley; some call it wild chervil, or even Queen Anne’s Lace. Well, it sounds like an ancient Norse word, but it could equally be good old Old English. Either way, it is characteristic of this time of year, as spring turns into summer.
words and pictures ©copyright rp 2016
Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 1, or June 21 with the Summer Solstice, according to some.
But a few warm days in early May lulls you into that typical false sense of security, leaves you thinking summer may have come early.
Then, of course, the heavens opened and May returned to its usual, not entirely unexpected mixed bag of meteorological mayhem.
And that’s just it, the downpour reminded me of many previous Mays, and by all accounts the temperatures will be almost back down to single figures by the weekend. This is a normal May.
Great.
That’s why I said ‘Au Revoir’ at the start. So, like the French might optimistically put it, until we meet again, dear summer…
Here’s hoping.
© copyright words and images rp
Spring finally comes, like your
warm breath on my
desiccate skin. So then
sing to me of careless summers,
your smile, where
love begins
© copyright David F. Barker 2013
Ciscography 