In Praise of Wordsworth's Daffodils

It is peak season for daffodils in Toronto. I see them everywhere. Their bold yellows and frilled trumpet cups are—simply put—fantastic.  

Cheery daffodils brighten a front-yard
garden in Toronto's Dufferin Grove
neighbourhood 

The beauty of a daffodil, and of nature in general, has always moved me to get outside, to put my hands into the dirt, and to try to connect with our planet in a meaningful way. I never expected that it would get me excited about writing poetry, yet here we are.

Putting words on a page and sharing those words with others is a scary thing. Let's face it, people like to judge; and, judgment can leave a writer feeling a little bit vulnerable. Correction—a lot vulnerable. Nevertheless, I have set a goal of writing poems throughout the garden season ahead. This week, the daffodil was my muse. While busy brainstorming ideas, words and rhyming schemes, I came upon William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." 

Deep sigh. 

Discovering a quintessential poem about daffodils and comparing it to my chicken scratch notes took my poem in a new direction: it's not just about these beautiful flowers, but also about the clumsy, inexperienced poet who tries to describe them.    

  

In Praise of Wordsworth’s Daffodils

I want to write about the daffodils

But Wordsworth beat me to it

I’d like to dance on golden hills

But William was first to do it

Words spill from me like a romantic poet 

But unlike Bill, rhyme falls short and I know it.

I want to wander under the clouds

But Wordsworth has noted the scene

I‘d like to spring lightly among floral crowds

But William has already been

My words are a struggle, they never quite fit

I wonder if Bill would suggest that I quit

The backyard daffodil that never
fails to take my breath away

Take a moment to enjoy William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".  The poem is as lovely as the daffodils that inspired it.

Happy Gardening!