Every year my mother would quote from Tennyson’s ‘The May Queen’. Although it is a sentimental and terribly sad Victorian poem she always quoted it with a smile and a little dance – so for me they are very fond memories. The first verse:

You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear;
Tomorrow ‘ll be the happiest time of all the glad new-year –
Of all the glad new-year, mother, the maddest, merriest day;
For I’m to be Queen o’ the May, mother, I’m to be Queen o’ the May.

Extract from Alfred Lord Tennyson – The May Queen

Perhaps Kahlil Gibran captures more how I feel about the Spring:

“Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.”

Happy May Day everyone – very best wishes – Denny Bradbury