Thursday, September 22, 2011

Smile with Me Today


Today, I'm in need of some happy. I'm not my perky, upbeat self, and I hate it when I'm not perky. Luckily, I have a no-fail pick-me-up: William Wordsworth and the Daffodil Poem. It always makes my heart smile.
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.
~ William Wordsworth
This is one of my favorite poems. I love the idea of gazing at the beauty before us, and then calling it up in our mind's eye to appreciate it again later. That's something good writers do well. We observe the world around us with sharper vision, always looking for the details, storing them for future use.

This poem is one of my "happy thoughts". I think of it when I'm feeling stressed or blue and then, like Wordsworth, "...my heart with pleasure fills, / And dances with the daffodils." Today, I hope we all have dancing hearts. 

What makes your heart dance?
 

25 comments:

Kelly Lyman said...

I love this poem too! When I was a senior in HS, we had to memorize a few poems--this was one I did. I also did My Love is like a Red, Red Rose by Burns. Thanks for the smile!

Old Kitty said...

Awww Shannon!!! This poem makes me do happy dances too!! Yay!! I hope the stress and unhappiness disappear soon!!! Enjoy such beautiful words and lovely pic too! Take care
x

Joshua McCune said...

I'm never much of a perkster, so take this with that salt thing, but it's okay sometimes not to be "on" (as my Dad would say) as long as you get it back soon enough.

Deb Salisbury, Magic Seeker and Mantua-Maker said...

I adore daffodils!

I hope you're feeling up to snuff soon.

Lenasledgeblog.com said...

Nice poem. I like the part where it says a poet could not but be gay. Same way I feel about reading poetry. Can't help but feel some sorta happy.

Hope you feel better. Maybe your gift box will arrive today and put a smile on your face. Keeping my fingers crossed it does. :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon .. hope the day is improving each hour .. just being and having a good cup of tea, relaxing and a walk - usually blow the blues away .. take care - cheers and Wordsworth poem would light anyone's heart .. Hilary

Heather said...

That is a wonderful idea, to store away the images for further use. I'm so sorry you're not feeling your usual self. :( I'm sending you virtual sunshine! :-)

DL Hammons said...

How about a joke to cheer you up?

One Monday morning, a man named Richard called a law office and said, "Excuse me, I would like to speak with Mr. Smythe. He's my lawyer."

The receptionist replied, "I’m sorry, sir; however, Mr. Smythe died last week."

The next day Richard called again and asked the same question. The receptionist replied, "Sir, as I told you yesterday, I am very sorry, but Mr. Smythe died last week."

Wednesday morning, Richard called for the third time. He asked to speak with his lawyer. By this time the receptionist had become quite annoyed. She snapped. "Sir," she yelled, "I keep telling you, your lawyer died last week. Why do you keep calling?!!"

Richard laughed. "Because I just love hearing it!"

Meredith said...

Love this poem! We had to memorize it in high school, and it's stayed one of my favorites. Hope your day is improving!

Barbara Watson said...

The line 'And dances with the daffodils' is beautiful. Simple, a little alliteration, and daffodils are a happy flower (yellow and spring-blooming). Great way to cheer up.

My dog makes my heart dance. He's a large, loving, gentle Golden Retriever. Only simple things matter to him such as being with the humans he loves most and taking walks. He simplifies my life because he's so genuine.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

thank for your words of encouragement girlie :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon .. hope DL's comment had you laughing .. it has me giggling away .. love it! Cheers to you and DL - Hilary

Kristin Lenz said...

I love this poem too. I read it again every spring when the daffodils are blooming.

Hannah said...

Reading my favorite author's blog always puts me in a good mood. He's always putting quotes and poems on his blog. They make me smile.

Susan Fields said...

Oh no, I hope you're feeling more perky now! Thanks for sharing the poem with us. Being excited about something my kids are excited about makes my heart dance.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Hope you're feeling better. Sometimes I try to be grateful for the good I have. Hang in there.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love that poem! Hope your day gets better and better.

Golden Eagle said...

That's one of my favorites as well!

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling upbeat; I hope you have the right kind of day to bring your spirits up. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I hope your world rights itself soon, Shannon!

I have a lot of pick me ups too - visually tulips & daffodils, photos of my kids. I also have a few comfort books - for quick pick me ups Dennis Lee (Jelly Belly!) and Shel Silverstein are the best! :)

Diane said...

I'm here now and bringing the happy over. Good news is on its way for you. I am believing for big things!!! Hugs and laughs and it's times like this I wish I had a bathroom joke to share. :O)

Michael G-G said...

Drat those blue days! Sending some perk your way, and hoping it works like a charm.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Tomorrow is Friday--it has to be a better day. I'm sending you happy vibes!

Candice said...

I hope you're feeling more like yourself today. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh that is so beautiful and sad too. Hope you feel better now. The daffodils remind me of York.

Alexia561 said...

Sorry to hear that you're not your usual self. Daffodils are pretty happy flowers, aren't they? Giggling babies and frolicing puppies make my heart dance. Clinches, but cliches for a reason. :)

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