April
Hark the greening of the eth
Curl-ed ferns yet to uncurl
Hark the zingen of the birds
Gurrel yearns yet to un-girl
Beech and aller, woak and birch,
Biddle, bull-head, squirrel’s drey
Willow, aspen, elder, larch,
Soldier-King on Maundy day
In her satchel, Pepsi fizz,
Peanut-and-banana sandwiches,
For this man her shepherd is.
Parts her bready-lips:
Are you Elvis? Are you God?
Jesus sent to win my trust?
Love Me Tender are his words,
As I have loved you, so you must…
Thrice she draws her lips to kiss
Mouthing for his mouth in vain
Thrice her lwonesome kisses miss
My love, will you come back again?
eth – earth; gurrel – girl; aller – alder; woak – oak; biddle – beetle; bull-head – tadpole; ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ – John 13:34; ‘Is your heart filled with pain/ Shall I come back again?/ Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?’ – from ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’