George Heath
George Heath was born in Gratton near Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands, following his education in the village school he worked on his Father’s Farm and later was apprenticed as a builder. It was around this time that he decided to become a poet with his early verses being written in 1863. It was whilst he was working on the church in the next village of Horton that he caught a chill which developed into consumption.
His illness prevented him from working and so he turned his mind to his studies and writing. His first collection, a slim volume of poems was published in 1865 entitled Simple Poems, this was followed a year later with his second volume Heart Strains. His condition deteriorated and he suffered an early death in 1869 age 25; he was buried in Horton Churchyard, the place where he had first caught the chill that brought on his early death.
Memorial collections were published following his death. Including his poem to Rudyard – the lake that became a place of leisure for the Victorians.
His life as a poet had lasted six short years, his poems mostly written through his illness, his words the expression of a dying man. Filled with failed ambition and loss. The themes expressed his obsession with death and his frustrations that he would not live long enough to complete his poetic journey, that his works would be forgotten and he along with them.
His poem – Inscription on a Rude Stone, reflects his melancholy – lines of which were etched on his gravestone.
INSCRIPTION ON A RUDE STONE
A quiet youth in the valleys grew,
And thought o’er his being a mantle threw,
And dawned on his spirit a meaning new,
And he dreamed of a mission great and true;
But God, in His infinite wisdom, drew
A severing finger his projects through.
His life is a fragment—a broken clue—
His harp had a musical string or two,
The tension was great, and they sprang and flew,
And a few brief strains—a scattered few—
Are all that remain to mortal view
Of the marvellous song the young man knew.
O, ye who have feeling! a tear from you!
Rest, saddest of singers, in peace—adieu!
Links to pages for George Heath and his poetry.
Garyswordz 