As summer comes in earnest, we unfurl – like fiddleheads becoming ostrich ferns – and begin to soak up the warmth. No better kickoff exists than William Wordsworth’s poem, taking us to where we want to be, entitled “I Wandered Like a Cloud.” Stress abounds, but so does peace, if we look.
Wordsworth (1770 to 1850) was an English romantic poet, willing to find and pass along light even in rough times. Taken with the “Lake District” in England, much of his poetry is about nature. In this poem, he celebrates summer.
“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.”
Wordsworth’s life was not all dancing daffodils, but he found in memory – set to words – a way of returning to the best, not letting adversity triumph over what he knew to be true, the lasting light of those “flashes upon the inner eye.” As he could, we can, and better it is to laugh than cry. Enjoy the summer, flush with color.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
Most of the poetry I read/memorized/quoted/enjoyed started off like…
“There was young girl from Nantucket…”
So thanks for this, instead, RBC.
RBC, lovely poem to end the week on. Have a good weekend.
This poem ” I Wandered . Like. a Cloud ” is a nice gift from William Wordsworth . It is relaxing to the mind and spirit and has a good bit of humor in it . There is the peace of seeing the lighter side of life. There is an example of how we can be inventive with not only words but our insight as well . . The value of poetry can vary depending on the circumstances . It is usually what maketh. a life worthwhile., especially when adversity is attempting to darken the clouds in our lives.The imagery is what provides the humor .To approach various kinds of uncertainty with the courage needed to overcome that uncertainty , Aye that is something that will help to bring the light into the picture – in summer , autumn,winter or spring !
I used to read a lot of poetry when young, and in college. But somehow life got in the way; too much to do, places to go, kids to raise, careers. So thanks for the reminder that it’s out there for the reading, and relaxing. It’s analogous to listening to quiet music. I do love looking at clouds and flowers.
This lovely poem used to be imprinted on the minds of British schoolchildren of my generation. Thanks for stirring up my ancient synapses!
I dislike flowers but I come by it honestly. I have severe allergies!