It’s the middle of April and we’ve had some impressive weather. From snow flurries followed by 80+ degree weather to massive thunderstorms and rainbows, it’s definitely spring in the Midwest. As you walk across campus, maybe accidentally stepping in a puddle or patch of mud, you may find yourself saying, “At least April showers bring May flowers”. But have you ever wondered where that saying came from? The original proverb can be traced back to English poet Thomas Tusser. In the 1500s he wrote,” Sweet April showers do spring May flowers”. Over time, it popularized and became the well-known saying we have today. With April being National Poetry month, let’s delve into excerpts from other spring themed poems. Click the titles for a link to the full poems.
When April Comes – Virna Sheard
When April comes with softly shining eyes,
And daffodils bound in her wind-blown hair,
Oh, she will coax all clouds from out the skies,
And every day will bring some sweet surprise
I Have This Way of Being– Jamaal May
I have this, and this isn’t a mouth
full of the names of odd flowers
I’ve grown in secret.
I know none of these by name
but have this garden now,
and pastel somethings bloom
near the others and others.
Lines Written in Early Spring – William Wordsworth
The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.
Hopefully you can find inspiration in the work of some of these poets. Perhaps their words can bring you a bit of spring when the weather is gray and dreary or inspire you to write your own poetry. Maybe you could write your own poems about the crazy weather of the Midwest. At least Spring is here at last!