I Am Comments

A deeply poignant and touching poem. Beautifully written. Great closure lines.

Looking for a poem titled 'Razors Edge ' shoplifting, dumpster diving, hobo camps. I've done it all...

I am: yet what I am none cares or knows, .....totally introspective starting line, wonderful beginning

He feels rejected even by his friends. They do not understand what he is. A poignant wish to be with God, at peace.

...Full of high thoughts, unborn, so let me lie; The grass beneath - above, the vaulted sky.

There to abide with my creator, God, And sleep as I in childhood sweetly slept: Untroubling and untroubled where I lie; The grass below- above the vaulted sky. great expression on self great 10++++++++++++++++

'I long for scenes where man has never trod Pure genius

which meter is this poem? ?

The human life destined to live with others in this world often feels isolated and disillusioned. A great writing.

That poems like this one, exist, make life more bearable.

John Clare is one of greatest poets of the 18th and 19th century (and undoubtedly one of the best British poets) and it makes me extremely angry when he is classed as a peasant poet, as if to belittle his reputation. His recording of the natural world, as he saw it at first hand, is far superior to anything Wordsworth or any of his ilk could produce. If nothing else his writing should be viewed as great historical and social pieces of work.

the poet feels left out and overlooked, so in turn he wants to be in another place?

Sometimes it's not about recognition but it's about the work you put in its implement and lives forever which it's the greatest compliment in the world

And sleep as I in childhood sweetly slept: Untroubling and untroubled where I lie; The grass below- above the vaulted sky.

The last verse has the ring of genius.

Its not i am anymore, but we are...and we wish we were yet it never came

A very nice and inspiring poem

In their edition of Clare’s poems, Robinson and Powell report that “the nature of Clare’s illness has never satisfactorily been established. There seem to have been epileptiform incidents in his early life, experiences during his visits to London which suggest a shaky hold upon reality, confusion about his relationship to Mary Joyce, nightmares, some bouts of heavy drinking, and the suggestion, by Clare himself, that he might have been venereally infected.[..] The account of Clare’s escape from High Beach [the asylum where he was first confined] is a strange mixture of dream-world, literary reminiscence, and realistic reporting. There are the first recorded signs that Clare is not sure of his own identity. Is he Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver, Queen Victoria’s father, or just a battered piece of flotsam? Clare himself is not sure.”

And sleep as I in childhood sweetly slept: Untroubling and untroubled where I lie; The grass below- above the vaulted sky. - In ITALIAN: E dormire sonni lievi come nell'infanzia: Senza preoccupazioni e sereno dove giaccio; L'erba sotto di me - e sopra, la volta del cielo.

Eniquivically beautiful sad dark and my absolute favourite poem of all time - well done Mr. John Clare and RIP. Thank you for creating something that has touched me beyond the words. Amazing! ZJByrne