(excerpt)

Now welcome, somer, with thy sonnesofte,
That hast with wintreswedres overshake,
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!

Saynt Valentyn, that art fulhy on-lofte,
Thys syngensmalefoules for thy sake:
Now welcome, somer, with the sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake.

Wel Han they cause for to gladen ofte,
Sith ech of hem recovered hath hys make;
Ful blissful mowe they synge when they wake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe
That has this wintres wedres overshake
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!

Thoughts: I know what you must be thinking: what on God’s green earth is this ancient dude saying? I never said Chaucer was an easy read, but his writing is lovely and truly beautiful. This is a mere excerpt from the quite extensive poem, but it still conveys the overall tone and purpose of the poem. Chaucer wrote this poem as a dream in which the speaker experiences an event of deep and passionate love. This section of the poem is welcoming the arrival of summer (somer) as it follows a cold winter. Chaucer’s speaker welcomes the singing fowls and the blazing sun that sheds its soft life on his new found love. The poem continues for several stanzas among many pages that convey the passion and jubilation in our speaker, and it is one of Chaucer’s most intricate and exquisite writings.

Poem Two: White Clovers by D.C.

I read our past chats

Late last night in bed.

The memories, warm

And quite nostalgic.

I long for those days.

At the time, immersed in love.

Our friends all laughing at us,

We sat together, in joy.

No matter the time or place,

You and I were tied tightly.

And as the bright flame did glow,

Our affection blossomed full.

You remind me of

White clovers in spring.

So soft and gentle,

Small but still gorgeous.

Sadly, they wither.

-D.C.