Simple beauty

I’m sure you know where this is – we take the simple beauty of our verges and glorious trees almost for granted. Pause and have a second look next time you’re driving about or walking the dog.

Now Summer is in flower and Nature's hum
Is never silent round her sultry bloom;
Insects, as small as dust, are never done
With glitt'ring dance, and reeling in the sun;
And green wood-fly and blossom-haunting bee,
Are never weary of their melody.
Round field and hedge, flowers in full glory twine,
Large bind-weed bells, wild hop, and streak’d woodbine,
That lift athirst their slender throated flowers,
Agape for dew falls and for honey showers;
These o'er each bush in sweet disorder run,
And spread their wild hues to the sultry sun.

John Clare, June