During the Spring of 2021, Early English Literature scholars at Wabash College combined celebrations of the Chinese New Year while eagerly anticipating the Spring thaw "Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote."
2021 Chinese New Year begins on February 12 with the Spring Festival. This is the year of the Ox, known for hard work, perseverance, and determination.
In just a little over a month, we can look forward to "Whan that Aprille . . ." — the opening lines to Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, a foundational text in the English literary canon. As this is also the beginning of National Poetry Month in the U.S. it is fitting that we celebrate Spring with poetry.
Chaucer's work reflects a rich intersection of cultures and influences which we hope to continue with our medievalisms below, as we continue Chaucer's meditation on changing seasons combined with reverence for the Chinese celebration of Spring.
For more information, please review:
The Lyfe of Spryng Daniel Brewer
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote.
The ice hath melted, gave forth the strem,
And wildelyf comen out againe.
The dirti hwit synks ynto the soile.
The grass drynks yts plentyful spoil.
The sunne’s warmth creeps the glen,
So we shed oure coats once agayn.
The felds reclaymed by bucs and dos
Whilst squyrelles climben out burrows.
Okes and mapuls growen theyr leefs.
The entere forest committee conceives.
The pollen plumes prolific perfume,
The sesoun of sneezyng, asthma doom,
Yet blome’s swete stench with evry inhale
Grants us lyfe— Spryng regales.
Canterbury, Ohio Tomas F. Hidalgo
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The doughte of March hath perced to the roote
And yet the young birds would soon be confused
For to trick and lie makes Nature amused
Whan that Aprill with his snow drifts so deep
Utter bullshit that inside we must keep
Then the snow melts in one short afternoon
But followed by a gale, nay, a typhoon.
Whan that May finally brings out the sun
Don’t get your hopes up, don’t expect any fun,
The West Wind turns sour and coldly doth blow
And spring sports will be canceled don’t ya know?
Nature’s seasons will freeze, or they will burn
So, listen well to the lesson ye must learn:
The temperature fair doth sway and doth bend
Midwestern Weather is nobody’s friend.
Rebirth Joe Mullin
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
When the snow of the long winter quells
And the wave of Earthly life swells
Joyous will the people be
With knowledge of the return of spring.
The renaissance of life will begin to show
As the year of the oxen follows in tow.
Spring Alas Johnathan Thibodeau
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote,
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,
An ox climbs the mountain of Wutai,
Up the sacred summit against all odds to defy,
Thus, the first journey of many thou will make,
And the cloven hooves of the ox surely ache,
The ox persists into the thin chilled spring air,
No creature amongst the earth could aye compare,
The weight of the horns heavy to the peak,
Yet once thou ox journey coda, he began to speak,
“My task is now finished, all yet done,
Me beseech perseverance this year for everyone.”
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote, Jake Ehmer
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,
The rain blows cold in the horrendous sky,
The sun will shine bright, when we unify,
But for now, we let April’s showers pour,
The longing of warmth soon flows through the door,
It’s the Year of the Ox, we must rejoice,
Listen in the wind, Spring’s soothing voice,
She tells us to breathe as May’s flowers near,
Summer’s radiant rays shall soon appear.
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote, Ian Dickey
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,
Students emerge from their dwellings
Happily Leaping forth telling,
Their brothers of clearer days to come,
Where the invisible storm is done,
Soon we will hop over this bull of a year,
Only wearing smiles of cheer.
When April with his sweet rainy soak, Dylan Torbush
Has pierced the drought of March to the root,
A Knight and his wife on a religious retreat,
Growing closer to God, also starving to eat.
Pain, passion, misery, and a devoted heart,
It's the year of the Ox, they all must do their part.
Hard work, perseverance, and using nature's own light,
Guides them in the direction to the Almighty Bright.