Flowers’ dance is poet’s delight

"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"

By William Wordsworth
1770-1850

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
Outdid 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 to me the show 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.

If you're a flower fan who also loves to read, email me your favorite floral literary references and you'll get a coupon for 10% off your next Teleflora order.

Flower Fact of the Day: Daffodils are also known as narcissus, jonquils and “Lent Lilies.”

Jacqueline - Editor

September 30, 2008

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Comments (1)

Comments

Kathryn Lamb

"There is a garden in her face
Where roses and white lilies grow:
A heavenly paradise is that place
Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow."
- Fourth Book of Airs by John Dowland

For the more pedestrian, there's always
"Tip-Toe Thru' the Tulips with Me" -- okay, this song isn't literature per se, but it does evoke May in Holland, when fields are awash with colorful flowers.

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