26 March 2020

 I wandered lonely as a cloud

 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 (1770 – 1850)

Many of us are now self-isolating (around the world and in the UK) and are therefore not seeing a lot of the usual spring moments that we normally do. 

The poem above encompasses the thoughts of the poet after he has wandered over the hills with the never-ending row of those enchanting flowers which impressed him so much that he compares them with the sparkling stars of the galaxy. He is captivated by the startling view of nature. This everlasting impact, triggered by nature, often serves as a delight for the poet, when he feels low or lonely at home. 

Likewise, we should remember that nature will carry on whilst we are all in self-isolation and we should (in our solitude) try and picture those vales, hills, trees, and golden daffodils that we have visited before self-isolation. This beauty is there for us all to enjoy and it will be there when we return to it. Please stay safe everyone.

Let us pray…

Dear Mother earth,
Who day by day unfolds rich blessing on our way,
O Praise God! Alleluia!
The fruits and flowers that verdant grow,
Let them his praise abundant show.
O praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
- Saint Francis

The Carmelite Friars are keeping everyone in their prayers. God bless you all.

                    

  • Reflection written by Matthew Betts. Poem written by William Wordsworth, printed in "Britain in Verse", 1985, Hamlyn Publishing

 

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