The Darling Buds of May (1958)
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
The words from one of William Shakespeare’s sonnets compare the extremes and shortness of summer to his beloved’s eternal beauty.
The Darling Buds of May, which he talks about, inspired H E Bates to write a series of five books about the Larkin family, which portrayed rural English life in the 1950’s.
Bates had been inspired to write the stories after encountering a real-life family of junk dealers in Kent, whose zest for life and entrepreneurial spirit caught his imagination. The family, with their unorthodox lifestyle and joy in simple pleasures, provided the template for the fictional Larkins
Amidst the constant demands and stresses of daily life, it can be wonderfully uplifting to pause and savour the simple joys that surround us—though we often overlook these small pleasures.
With May upon us, the landscape begins to transform, offering fresh sights and experiences in the countryside. Fresh green fields, golden sunlight and wildflowers bursting through nooks and crannies. The cacophony of birdsong can be heard everywhere, and blossom fills the air as if to honour the passing bride and groom.
Taking time to enjoy a picnic or simply wandering along winding lanes, one is reminded that life’s greatest joys are often found in these God-given moments—relishing nature’s beauty and the pleasure of unhurried days.
Amid the troubles of the world, let us not forget……