Monday, October 13, 2008

I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD!



I was made to study this poetry by heart when I was in school. At that time I thought it was a bore and a chore. But even after so many decades some words are still etched indelibly in my mind.
Kindly sit back, relax, read slowly, savour the words, roll it on your tongue and enjoy.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
( also known as "The Daffodils" )

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 theyOut-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.

BRIEF OUTLINE :The memory of the daffodils is etched in the poet’s mind and soul to be cherished forever. When he's feeling lonely, dull or depressed, he thinks of the daffodils, and cheers up. The full impact of the daffodils' beauty (symbolizing the beauty of nature) did not strike him at the moment of seeing them, when he stared blankly at them but much later when he sat alone, sad and lonely and remembered them.










11 comments:

J P Joshi said...

Beautiful pictures...

This poem takes me back to my school days in the 60s. I believe it was 'The Daffodils' by William Wordsworth? Enjoyed reading it again. Thank you.

Mel said...

Welcome back, Joseph! I hope you're feeling 100% better after your experience with food poisoning (not fun!). I've been watching your blog every day waiting with anticipation for your next post. :) This is a lovely quiet poem that provides a tranquil peace upon meditation of its simple beautiful words. And the pictures are pretty and cheerful.

Have a wonderful day!

Mel

FCB said...

Hi Joseph,
You haven't posted for a few days and I hope you have fully recoverd from the food poisoning. I have missed you.
This is such a great poem. I am a flower gardener, actually my grandfather and my father owned a flower nursery for years, and surely Wordsworth must have been as well. I heard that he spent nearly a month searching for just the right word for a poem. Certainly in this one every word has been carefully chosen. Great post,
Fred

ramesh sadasivam said...

Hello sir, A tasty poetic treat indeed. I too have memorized the poem when in school. Poetry is the most tasty way of expressing our emotions.
I too have written one or two poems. Since you are interested in poems, I think I can share them with you.Please read them and give your valuable opinions.I don't think it'll take much of your time.


http://smilemakerkrishna.blogspot.com/2008/09/back-to-innocence_10.html

http://smilemakerkrishna.blogspot.com/2008/09/lovers-musing.html

http://smilemakerkrishna.blogspot.com/2008/07/mosquito-sits-on-me.html

The photos are excellent. I always look upon flowers as, god smiling at us.

Leo said...

Ahhh. Very nice. I remember reading this peom in my school years. While we didn't memorize it, "I wandered lonely as a cloud" is a thought fragment that has always stayed with me. Thanks for dragging up some very good memories.

Unknown said...

How many things we thought were very boring when we were younger and how much our feelings have changed through times!... That is also what life is about.

Thank you for your nice comments, it's allways good to know you appreciate my pictures.

Mark D. said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures and the words -- both beautiful!

CIELO said...

Good morning, Joseph! Beautiful poem, indeed, and the photos you chose are as lovely... are these from your garden???? By the way, you made me laugh this morning with the comment you left on my blog, you funny you!.... You know, it has never occurred to me to seek solitude under my bed, but the idea sounds fantastic... and walking in a crowded street bumping into people just fascinates me.... I think I'd try both of your suggestions, as they appeal both sides of my spiritual and mischievous happy soul... :)

You have a lovely bumping day with people on the streets my friend...

cielo

SkyJuice said...

Had to study this poem too in school.

Maria said...

Beautiful flowers and a beautiful poem! I followed your advice, relaxed and read it slowly! :)
Thank you!

venuss66 said...

Lovely flowers. Loved them much. Thank you.