Memories

When reading "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud", I could not help but to remember a few of my sweet memories in nature. The magic of Wordsworth's words in saying, "but little thought/ What wealth the show to me had brought" could not be more true. I too often do not value beauty in the simplest forms; however, when I do take the time to enjoy a sunset, or take a walk on the beach at night, I always remember how it made me feel. I could never remember every specific detail, but always how it made me feel in that moment. I adore this poem, and how he can capture the beauty in a memory of something so simple.

I commented on Brannen's post.

Bliss in Solitude

Poetry is supposed to make you feel something, right? The vivid description of nature in I wandered Lonely as a cloud along with Wordsworth's tone throughout makes this poem feel kind of light and fluffy. As I read it I felt relaxed, de-stressed, soothed; how one feels when you lay out on a sunny day and just watch the clouds. Although it's not extremely complex, it was thoroughly enjoyable to read. I really like the last stanza reflecting on the "bliss of solitude." I think too often people equate solitude with loneliness or depression but Wordsworth depicts in this poem the beauty and joy that can come from solitude.

Sierra

I suppose Wordsworth is kind of a respite from the deep existential wandering a we've previously traversed. I feel a little out of place reading poetry so shallow. But he he does showcase quite a bit of diversity, even in so little a sampling. The fact that he can spend one poem lushly decorating nature in praise and then the state of modern man in another shows his sobriety as a poet. He's able to mentally exist on multiple planes of thoughts. I appreciate that in him.

—Sammiera

"The Bliss of Solitude"

    Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" makes me feel the nostalgia of the classic song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It makes me feel like there's a better place out there that we can only dream about. This poem made me want to go watch a black and white movie, or sing in the rain (which was a very real option this weekend), or think about the 1940's and 1950's when times were simultaneously simpler and more challenging. Wordsworth was able to make me feel like I was in a secluded cabin in the woods, sipping coffee in a rocking chair on the shaded porch, under which the branches to a giant, beautiful, healthy, green tree hang. These poems were like stepping outside on a nice, cool, breezy morning and taking in one huge gulp of fresh air.

I commented on Brannen Uhlman's. 

Poetry

I typically have a love-hate relationship with poetry.  However, these were relatively enjoyable to the straightforwardness.  One thing I found confusing, however, was trying to determine the tone shift at line nine of each sonnet between the octave and the sestet.

~Commented on Daniel Stephens' post~

Wordsworth

I love the way Wordsworth words his poems. It is as if I can finally breathe again. Especially after everything we have been reading lately (Milton......), it is very refreshing. Wordsworth is very good with his words. My favorite poem was "I wandered Lonely as a Cloud". The imagery in this poem is excellent. It is so relaxing. "A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze". That is so calming, and I can picture it near perfectly in my head. I also enjoyed his other poems. They all have really good messages to them. I am definitely a fan of William Wordsworth.

The Beautiful Nature of Rest

Wordsworth has a common theme of nature scattered throughout all of these poems. He definitely admires nature's beauty. I have gathered a central lesson from Wordsworth that sometimes, you just need to stop running through life from one thing to another. You need a break. You need rest. In that time of rest, you can ponder or daydream as mentioned in "I Wandered as a Lonely Cloud." You may want to stop to appreciate a figure or seek counsel from leaders of the past like in "London: 1802." Maybe you should take the time to dismiss the bright, shiny things the world throws in your face and simply admire nature's beauty like in "The World is Too Much with Us." "The Tables Turned" may encourage you to look beyond every day routines and look at what the world and nature have to teach. Overall, Wordsworth's pensive poems have helped me to look beyond everything buzzing by so fast in life and rest for a moment to enjoy the beautiful simplicity of nature.

I commented on Delaney's post!