April Rise Poem by Laurie Lee

April Rise

Rating: 3.2


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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Gina Fraser 05 April 2022

I love this poem. However, I'm rather puzzled about how to understand 'the powder of my eye' and 'my low blood scales'. I would be very appreciated if anyone could help me out. Thank you!

0 0 Reply
Bonnie Lundgren 11 April 2010

I have always considered being born in the spring a blessing. April to me is a perfect spring smile, and this poem catches that in the line 'If ever I saw a blessing in the air...'

9 5 Reply
Isabelle Herbert 08 October 2004

This has been my favourite poem since I read it at school at age 12. Now I'm pushing 50 and I still love its lyricism and optimism. And although I don't live in England any more, it seems to evoke perfectly an English spring day.

9 5 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Laurie Lee

Laurie Lee

Gloucestershire / England
Close
Error Success