I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

The beauty of nature has inspired poetry for maybe as long as poetry has existed. Beauty in all its forms is a main part of nature, and it is completely understandable that so many would write such wonderful words praising it. I'm no poet myself, so I've searched for some of the best nature related poems by others.

Our nature poem this time is one called "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." It was written by William Wordsworth, who lived from 1770 to 1850. He was a major English poet who helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature. Check the links for more information about the man, but read his poem first.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

by William Wordsworth

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.

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