This lyrical ballad by Wordsworth is a delightful poem to send us into the Spring with its bouncing metric composition. It is the rhythm that carries the poet as he ‘Wanders Lonely as a Cloud,’ and as he catches sight of the daffodils, ‘Stretched in a never ending line.’ It is their captivating quality, “Tossing their heads in a sprightly dance,” that brings the poet out of himself, when he has been lost in his own thoughts.

When Wordsworth compares himself a cloud, we are reminded of his dreamy and lofty state of mind, which is appropriate for a poet of the Romantic era. When he compares the daffodils to the stars, he is giving them a heavenly, celestial quality.

And when the daffodils are “fluttering and dancing in the breeze,” the rhythm helps us to imagine the dance. And of course as “a crowd” and “dancing” the flowers are personified.

We’ve recorded the poem just in time for Spring and St. David’s Day on March 1st. Daffodils are a symbol of the Patron Saint of Wales, St. David. They hold a special place for me, as Wales is the place I grew up in!

Wordsworth’s highly sophisticated poem, I imagine is best for our older school years but its optimistic quality also makes it enjoyable for younger years. So Kidz, if you’re studying this at school, be sure to read and listen along to the audio too. Send me your thoughts and I’ll get back to you soon.

Natasha