Edward Tennant
GREEN gardens in Laventie !
Soldiers only know the street
Where the mud is churned and splashed about
By battle- wending feet ;
And yet beside one stricken house there is a glimpse of grass,
Look for it when you pass.
Beyond the Church whose pitted spire
Seems balanced on a strand
Of swaying stone and tottering brick
Two roofless ruins stand,
And here behind the wreckage where the back wall should have been
We found a garden green.
The grass was never trodden on,
The little path of gravel
Was overgrown with celandine,
No other folk did travel
Along its weedy surface , but the nimble- footed mouse
Running from house to house.
So all among the vivid blades
Of soft and tender grass
We lay, nor heard the limber wheels
That pass and ever pass,
In noisy continuity until their stony rattle
Seems in itself a battle.
At length we rose up from this ease
Of tranquil happy mind,
And searched the garden’s little length
A fresh pleasaunce to find ;
And there, some yellow daffodils and jasmine hanging high
Did rest the tired eye.
The fairest and most fragrant
Of the many sweets we found,
Was a little bush of Daphne flower
Upon a grassy mound,
And so thick were the blossoms set and so divine the scent
That we were well content.
Hungry for Spring I bent my head,
The perfume fanned my face ,
And all my soul was dancing
In that little lovely place,
Dancing with a measured step from wrecked and shattered towns
Away . . . upon the Downs.
I saw green banks of daffodil,
Slim poplars in the breeze,
Great tan- brown hares in gusty March
A- courting on the leas ;
And meadows with their glittering streams, and silver
scurrying dace,
Home-what a perfect place.
Belgium,
March, 1916.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem paints a vivid picture of a green sanctuary amid the desolation of war. It juxtaposes the harsh realities of Laventie—a town ravaged by conflict—with the delicate beauty of an untouched garden. Through this contrast, the poem captures a profound yearning for peace and a connection to nature that transcends the grim surroundings.
The description begins with the soldiers’ perspective, accustomed to streets churned with mud and the relentless march of feet. Yet, nestled amidst the wreckage, a garden quietly persists. This green patch becomes a symbol of resilience, an oasis in a landscape of ruin. The grass, untrodden except by the nimble mouse, emphasizes the garden’s isolation from human turmoil, creating a sense of untouched purity.
The imagery deepens as the poem explores the garden’s details—the soft grass, overgrown path, and scattered blossoms. The daffodils and jasmine provide not only a rest for weary eyes but also a moment of emotional reprieve. The poet lingers on the “divine” scent of the daphne flower, allowing readers to share in this moment of solace and sensory delight. This focus on small, beautiful details underscores the restorative power of nature, even in the midst of destruction.
The poem’s emotional climax comes when the speaker bends to inhale the daphne’s fragrance, sparking a reverie of home. The imagery shifts from the garden in Laventie to idyllic scenes of England: daffodil banks, breezy poplars, and lively hares. This dreamlike escape highlights the stark contrast between the war-torn present and the tranquil memories of the past. It also speaks to the deep human longing for a return to normalcy and peace.
Ultimately, the poem is a meditation on the persistence of beauty and its ability to provide comfort, even in the darkest times. The garden in Laventie serves as a metaphor for hope—a fragile yet enduring reminder of what lies beyond the devastation. This blend of detailed observation and emotional resonance makes the poem a poignant testament to the human spirit’s capacity to find solace and inspiration, even in the unlikeliest of places.