Almost April-----a contrary month I think----My painting for today-----TREES.

TREES.--- Watercolour on cotton paper  -16" x 12"

I always feel that April is a little contrary in its offerings.

I think that T.S. Eliot  is being a bit harsh when he calls it 

'the cruellest month', but certainly here in Malta we can be

 subjected to some harsh winds as well as glorious

spring-like days.  

Vividly I call to mind that beautiful April poem by Laurie Lee,

I remember reciting it once at a school Open Day.

It is such a gentle poem, yet so full of  colourful,

animated imagery, so resonant with the sense of

new Life and hope.

    APRIL  RISE. 

If ever I saw blessing in the air

I see it now in this still early day

                    Where lemon-green the vaporous morning drips

Wet sunlight on the powder of my eye.

        Blown bubble -film of blue, the sky wraps round

       Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod

     Splutters with soapy green, and all the world

                          Sweats with the bead of Summer in its bud. 

 If ever I heard blessing it is there

           Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are

         Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound

    Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.

Pure in the haze the emerald sun dilates,

The lips of sparrows milk the mossy stones,

While white as water by the lake a girl

Swims her green hand among the gathered swans.

Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick,

Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;

Now as my low blood scales its second chance,

If ever world were blessed, now it is.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/

has copies of  a selection of  Laurie Lee's poems.

T