The Daffodils

05 April 2016









I wander'd 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 stretch'd 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.
William Wordsworth
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The photos are of wild daffodils, a smaller and more delicate flower than their cultivated cousins, in the place that is purported to be the inspiration behind this beautiful poem.

35 comments:

  1. How wonderful. I can definitely see why he'd write of the daffodils that way after visiting such a place. I've never seen so many daffodils in one place. I would love to visit there myself someday. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. It has taken me years to find the exact spot but now that I have I think it will be a place we return to each year. It is so beautiful.

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  2. Beautiful photographs. Such pretty flowers. I was reading only the other day about reintroducing wild daffodils in certain areas rather than the cultivated kind. X

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    1. They are more delicate, its hard to see that in these photos as there is nothing to compare them too. I do love all daffodils but these are enchanting.

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  3. He's right, they're such cheerful little blooms. Lovely pictures.

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  4. I love daffodils, it always seems like spring is just around the corner when I see the first ones begin to bloom, and they remind me of Easter too.

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    1. It does doesn't it. They weren't quite out at Easter but they do usually put in a good show around that time don't they.

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  5. Beautiful. I love daffodils and can't wait for them to bloom here...soon.

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    1. They are aren't they, I love that they line nearly all the roads round here for a few weeks.

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  7. gorgeous photo and a lovely poem to go with the image :)

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  8. How lovely, I'd like to cultivate the native daffodil under my edible hedge xx

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    1. Edible hedge.......that sounds intriguing........

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  9. Lovely photographs-
    Lovely poem too, isn't it!

    Great post

    All the best Jan

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  10. They really are a most encouraging sight.

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    1. They are. Wordsworth viewed them from a boat on the lake, we were on the shore, next year I want to try looking from the lake too, to view them as he saw them.

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  11. Beautiful. Lovely to see wild daffodils.

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    1. This is the first time I have seen them in the flesh, they are much more delicate.

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  12. one of my absolute favourite poems :) xxx

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  13. I love daffodils; they're so cheerful. Your 'games in bags' idea for your nephews is fabulous! xx

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  14. How very very beautiful - you can see why he felt inspired!

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    1. You can can't you, I would like to view them from the lake next year, as he did.

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  15. Beautiful photos, and how exciting to visit the famous spot!

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    1. It has taken me a long time to find the exact spot!

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  16. We have been using this poem too! I love it xx

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