Love your post today! I was up in Wordsworth’s Lake District this time last year…. And have been doing a poetry Substack since then. I love your combos of photos and poetry, and hope you will come by to visit someday here in Wickford RI. We’re kindred spirits…. Elizabeth Spring.
Thank you Elizabeth! I am so glad you enjoyed this post. We are a bit of kindred spirits aren’t we. Perhaps one day I will make it down to R.I. to visit. Last I knew I thought you were still in the NBPT area.
It was lush--full with nature, and the villages around the lakes are quaint and welcoming! Also a bit rainy and if I went again it would be in May or June...
Thank you, Pamela, for posting this little tribute to William Wordsworth. It’s a real pleasure to read his poetry on a beautiful spring morning in Ireland.
Ireland geographically is divided into four provinces: Munster in the south, Ulster in the north, Leinster in the east, and Connaught in the west. I live in Cork. It's in the south, in the province of Munster. Galway is in the west, in the Province of Connaught. Munster and Connaught were most affected by the Great Famine of 1845 - 1852. The crops failed and tens of thousands starved to death. There was great emigration during that period and for years after it - Irish people taking their few meagre belonging and heading for America in search of a better life - or, of course, simply to survive. It wouldn't surprise me if your ancestors were part of that exodus. Those emigrants were called 'the wild geese' because they had to take flight from their own land.
Martin, My great-great grandparents we children during the Great Famine, and to my knowledge left after around the mid-1860's arriving in the Boston area in 1865, I believe. It's possible a couple of his siblings left earlier, during the Great Famine. I've been working on my family tree for a very long time and have a goal to get over there and see where they are from, and as much of Ireland as possible.
The Leavey clan is a small one, a derivative of MacDonlevy/McDunlavey from Ulster.
Galway, and the west of Ireland are incredibly beautiful. (Galway, and Sligo next to it, are Yeats' country!) You might never leave it, if you do manage to get here. Watch out for the greenness of everything. Johnny Cash wrote '40 Shades of Green' while in a plane flying over Ireland.
The first poem I used in my Contemplative Class. It is wonderful! And I don't think I had ever read the second one, so thanks for the introduction! Peace, LaMon
Love daffodils …I had to memorize this poem in 5th grade…long time ago.. I don’t remember all the words, but I remember that I did know all the words all those years ago…my daffodils are poking through the chilly ground and slowly getting ready to bloom
Lynn, I wonder if Wordsworth is taught in 5th grade these days. I will ask my daughter, she teaches 5th grade humanities. Some of my early daffodils are blooming but the later ones are still working on it. I wish you bountiful daffodils this spring!
Beautiful post of daffodils and Wordsworth. Thank you, Pamela, as this one really resonates. I've been admiring the daffodils that are in bloom here and I was also just thinking about how the Lake District is one of the parts of England that I have yet to see. An inspiration all around in this post.
Heidi, This Wordsworth poem and daffodils do seem to go hand in hand. For some reason when I think of the UK and lakes, my mind goes right to the Lady of the Lake. I'm so happy you enjoyed this post!
I always think of The Prelude when I see your boat photos - "...As one who hangs down-bending from the side of a slow-moving boat, upon the breast of a still water, solacing himself with such discoveries as his eye can make..."
Thank you so much for bringing these here! Wordsworth is one of my favorite poets because his poems just change how I see things. And... he is a fellow ARIES!
Really nice poems by Wordsworth, Pamela. I like these lines in the second one about the Skylark:
"Ethereal minstrel! pilgrim of the sky!
Dost thou despise the earth where cares abound?"
I like that phrase "ethereal minstrel." Lovely description and thank you for sharing.
The pilgrim of the sky line got me!
I got me as well, Corie. I think I will look at birds a little differently now!
Love your post today! I was up in Wordsworth’s Lake District this time last year…. And have been doing a poetry Substack since then. I love your combos of photos and poetry, and hope you will come by to visit someday here in Wickford RI. We’re kindred spirits…. Elizabeth Spring.
Thank you Elizabeth! I am so glad you enjoyed this post. We are a bit of kindred spirits aren’t we. Perhaps one day I will make it down to R.I. to visit. Last I knew I thought you were still in the NBPT area.
What was the Wordsworth Lake District like?
Very good question! I hope Elizabeth responds!
It was lush--full with nature, and the villages around the lakes are quaint and welcoming! Also a bit rainy and if I went again it would be in May or June...
It sounds wonderful Elizabeth. I am hoping to do some traveling next year, the UK is on my list.
Thank you, Pamela, for posting this little tribute to William Wordsworth. It’s a real pleasure to read his poetry on a beautiful spring morning in Ireland.
Martin, I am so glad you enjoyed! I am curious, when in Ireland do you live. My ancestors came from East Galway back in the 1860’s.
Ireland geographically is divided into four provinces: Munster in the south, Ulster in the north, Leinster in the east, and Connaught in the west. I live in Cork. It's in the south, in the province of Munster. Galway is in the west, in the Province of Connaught. Munster and Connaught were most affected by the Great Famine of 1845 - 1852. The crops failed and tens of thousands starved to death. There was great emigration during that period and for years after it - Irish people taking their few meagre belonging and heading for America in search of a better life - or, of course, simply to survive. It wouldn't surprise me if your ancestors were part of that exodus. Those emigrants were called 'the wild geese' because they had to take flight from their own land.
Martin, My great-great grandparents we children during the Great Famine, and to my knowledge left after around the mid-1860's arriving in the Boston area in 1865, I believe. It's possible a couple of his siblings left earlier, during the Great Famine. I've been working on my family tree for a very long time and have a goal to get over there and see where they are from, and as much of Ireland as possible.
The Leavey clan is a small one, a derivative of MacDonlevy/McDunlavey from Ulster.
Galway, and the west of Ireland are incredibly beautiful. (Galway, and Sligo next to it, are Yeats' country!) You might never leave it, if you do manage to get here. Watch out for the greenness of everything. Johnny Cash wrote '40 Shades of Green' while in a plane flying over Ireland.
I’ll get there Martin. Not sure when but I will.
Love William Wordsworth … and daffodils 🙏💛
Thank you Simone! I think they are a great combo!
Lovely piece and it's always the last verse of 'Lonely as a Cloud...' that I find most poignant. Remembrance of passed beauty ...
Harry, I am so glad you enjoyed. Wordsworth is a favorite poet of many, I think.
You must have so many of those beautiful images to look upon with that inner eye. Love all you share.
Thank you Danny! There is no shortage of beauty to see!
Beautiful photos Pamela, and Wordsworth is excellent. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you James! I am so glad you enjoyed!
I love both poems and your photos of course, Pamela!
Thank you Diane!
The first poem I used in my Contemplative Class. It is wonderful! And I don't think I had ever read the second one, so thanks for the introduction! Peace, LaMon
LaMon, That sounds like a great class, your Contemplative Class. The second poem us also very special.
"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" is definitely a favorites. We had to memorize it as a kid. Beautiful accompanying photos.
Thank you Amy. It is a favorite of mine too. I am so glad you enjoyed!
I enjoyed I Wonder Lonely As A Cloud. Your photographs were beautiful and brightened my day. Lots of rain here.
Monica, I am so happy you enjoyed. It's been rainy here too. I feel that it is needed rain, but still, I need more sun. We all do on these bleak days.
Love daffodils …I had to memorize this poem in 5th grade…long time ago.. I don’t remember all the words, but I remember that I did know all the words all those years ago…my daffodils are poking through the chilly ground and slowly getting ready to bloom
Lynn, I wonder if Wordsworth is taught in 5th grade these days. I will ask my daughter, she teaches 5th grade humanities. Some of my early daffodils are blooming but the later ones are still working on it. I wish you bountiful daffodils this spring!
Im 75, so that was quite a few years ago! Hopefully, they can find more current poets...
Lynn, I think it’s good for the kids to learn the classics and the new poets. I feel as they read some poetry earlier in the year.
Beautiful post of daffodils and Wordsworth. Thank you, Pamela, as this one really resonates. I've been admiring the daffodils that are in bloom here and I was also just thinking about how the Lake District is one of the parts of England that I have yet to see. An inspiration all around in this post.
Heidi, This Wordsworth poem and daffodils do seem to go hand in hand. For some reason when I think of the UK and lakes, my mind goes right to the Lady of the Lake. I'm so happy you enjoyed this post!
I always think of The Prelude when I see your boat photos - "...As one who hangs down-bending from the side of a slow-moving boat, upon the breast of a still water, solacing himself with such discoveries as his eye can make..."
Stacey, Thanks so much for sharing those lines from The Prelude with me. I can see how my boat photos, the dories, would bring those words to mind.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful flower photos.
My pleasure Radny! I am so glad you enjoyed!
Thank you so much for bringing these here! Wordsworth is one of my favorite poets because his poems just change how I see things. And... he is a fellow ARIES!
Corie, I am so glad you enjoyed. I think Wordsworth is a favorite of so many. I love that he is an Aries like you!