Far Too Late For Helpston's John Clare

He is arguably England's greatest Nature poet Yet in his lifetime not seen as one worthy of note He died in the Northampton Asylum where he had lived for years But his passing did not stir a Nation to tears Of his worth as a poet poetry lovers aware But all that far too late for Helpston's John Clare Sad and poor and demented when he drew his last breath But a legend of literature decades after his death. Forgotten in life after a brief spell of fame He died without any money to his name For one self educated great poems he did write A pleasure to read and a joy to recite. His verses on the ladybird named Clock A Clay Is one of the World's great poems of today And I Am and The Badger and The Thrush's Nest Better poems than most and as good as the best.