Edward Thomas
There never was a finer day,
And never will be while May is May,—
The third, and not the last of its kind;
But though fair and clear the two behind
Seemed pursued by tempests overpast;
And the morrow with fear that it could not last
Was spoiled. To-day ere the stones were warm
Five minutes of thunderstorm
Dashed it with rain, as if to secure,
By one tear, its beauty the luck to endure.
At mid-day then along the lane
Old Jack Noman appeared again,
Jaunty and old, crooked and tall,
And stopped and grinned at me over the wall,
With a cowslip bunch in his button-hole
And one in his cap. Who could say if his roll
Came from flints in the road, the weather, or ale?
He was welcome as the nightingale.
Not an hour of the sun had been wasted on Jack.
‘I’ve got my Indian complexion back,’
Said he. He was tanned like a harvester,
Like his short clay pipe, like the leaf and bur
That clung to his coat from last night’s bed,
Like the ploughland crumbling red.
Fairer flowers were none on the earth
Than his cowslips wet with the dew of their birth,
Or fresher leaves than the cress in his basket.
‘Where did they come from, Jack?’ ‘Don’t ask it,
And you’ll be told no lies.’ ‘Very well:
Then I can’t buy.’ ‘I don’t want to sell.
Take them and these flowers, too, free.
Perhaps you have something to give me?’
Wait till next time. The better the day . . .
The Lord couldn’t make a better, I say;
If he could, he never has done.’
So off went Jack with his roll-walk-run,
Leaving his cresses from Oakshott rill
And his cowslips from Wheatham hill.
‘Twas the first day that the midges bit;
But though they bit me, I was glad of it:
Of the dust in my face, too, I was glad.
Spring could do nothing to make me sad.
Bluebells hid all the ruts in the copse,
The elm seeds lay in the road like hops,
That fine day, May the twenty-third,
The day Jack Noman disappeared.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem paints a vibrant picture of a single day in May, blending vivid imagery with a touch of mystery surrounding the character of Jack Noman. The poem captures the essence of fleeting beauty, the charm of the ordinary, and the bittersweet passage of time.
The opening lines establish the day as exceptional, a moment of perfect harmony in nature. The speaker suggests that no other day in May could rival this one, and its beauty is cemented through a brief thunderstorm that feels almost purposeful, as though nature itself acknowledges the day’s significance. This combination of beauty and a hint of impermanence sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the finest things in life are often fleeting.
Jack Noman is introduced as a central figure, described with vivid details that make him both tangible and enigmatic. His “jaunty and old, crooked and tall” appearance, along with his cowslip decorations and the remnants of last night’s travels clinging to his coat, give him an almost folkloric quality. The speaker’s delight at Jack’s arrival is infectious—his cheerful demeanor and carefree attitude make him a symbol of vitality and resilience. The playful exchange between the speaker and Jack, with its subtle humor and hints at Jack’s mysterious ways, adds to his charm.
Nature plays a significant role in the poem, serving as a backdrop that reflects the speaker’s joy. The references to cowslips, bluebells, elm seeds, and midges create a vivid sensory experience, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and textures of spring. Even inconveniences, like midges biting or dust in the speaker’s face, are embraced as part of the day’s perfection, underscoring the speaker’s contentment.
The poem ends with a note of quiet melancholy, as Jack Noman disappears on this extraordinary day. The finality of his departure, coupled with the date’s specificity, gives the impression that this day marks the end of something irreplaceable. Jack’s enigmatic exit leaves the reader pondering whether he was simply a wandering figure or a metaphor for something deeper—perhaps the fleeting joys of life, the passage of time, or the transient nature of beauty.
In its blend of the everyday and the extraordinary, the poem captures a moment of profound connection with nature and humanity. The beauty of the day and Jack Noman’s brief but memorable presence remind us to cherish fleeting moments and the unique characters who cross our paths. The poem lingers in the mind, much like the memory of a perfect spring day or the mystery of someone who left an indelible mark before vanishing.