By Paddy Ryan

The poem ‘The Daffodils’ was inspired during a walk William Wordsworth took with his sister, Dorothy, in the Lake District of England. A belt of daffodils swaying in the breeze and reflected in the lake left a lasting impression on them and on millions of school children after it was published in 1807.

A classic poem in English literature, the superb imagery in his descriptions of a line of golden daffodils in the spring sunshine proves Wordsworth’s stature as a nature poet. And the timing couldn’t have been better as people were beginning to appreciate the powerful appeal of nature.

The opening line ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ conveys an image of drifting aimlessly until the eyes are arrested by ‘a host of golden daffodils.’ The poet’s thoughts soar towards the bright stars twinkling on the milky way and shows how walking in the open air, amid the wonders of nature, can bring feelings of joy and contentment.

The final lines illustrate the lasting joy that this simple wonder of nature left with the poet and how he could return to it again and again.

At age 73, William Wordsworth, despite his protests, was persuaded to accept the position of Poet Laureate, after Prime Minister, Robert Peel assured him that nothing would be required of him.

Although he held the post for the seven years up to his death, he became the only Poet Laureate who did not pen any official poems.

However, by the time he accepted that prestigious position, he had well and truly established his reputation as a master at the craft of verse-making.

Born on 7 April 1770, William Wordsworth was the son of a relatively wealthy lawyer in the town of Cockermouth, Cumberland in the English Lake District. His sister Dorothy was born about a year later and the two were not only baptised together but retained a close bond throughout their lives.

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