Poetry Sunday: I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth

This is quite a well-known poem, unlike many that I feature here. Well-known and well-loved. I remember it, and perhaps you do too, from high school days. Wordsworth was a popular and easy introduction to poetry. He's also pretty good, as I'm sure you will agree. 

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Comments

  1. It is a lovely poem, oft repeated, known by many, uplifting and easy to recite. About a year ago I took an online course on William Wordsworth, something quite different for me, but very enjoyable.

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    Replies
    1. He is a very accessible and relatable poet and there's something to be said for that.

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  2. It is popular but, as you say, it is very good. It is perfect for spring. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, this seems the perfect poem for this time of year.

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  3. Didn't read this in high school but I enjoyed it now. I love daffodils and I also think this was a perfect poem for this tie of the daffodils. They are in full bloom where I live.

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    1. They bloomed here several weeks ago, but it is their time in much of the northern hemisphere and would have been their time in Wordsworth's part of the world.

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  4. wonderful to see this again. Thanks. Stay safe. Cheers

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    Replies
    1. Comfort poetry. Sometimes it is just what we need.

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