Wordsworth's Daffodils

Another pastoral, this time a villanelle in the 20th. century style (10 syllable), a tribute to the man and his famous poem.

Far away over meadows, fields and hills
Or through oak woodland which is ever sweet;
Seeking out Wordsworth's golden daffodils.

Early morning, amid the dewy chills
Where a dawn kissed grassland moistens the feet
Far away over meadows, fields and hills.

A perfumed carpet your raw sense it fills
 A yellow trumpeted aspect replete
Seeking out Wordsworth's golden daffodils.

And by the noon, as mid-day sunlight spills,
I wander onward down a floral street
Far away over meadows, fields and hills.

By farmstead ruins and old water mills
Where sheep now dwell and brightly bleat and eat,
Seeking out Wordsworth's golden daffodils.

So, the land where the poet whet his skills
I walk at springtime in nature's elite.
Far away over meadows, fields and hills
Seeking out Wordsworth's golden daffodils.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A lovely villanelle Alan. A fine tribute to Wordsworth and his very well known poem about daffodils. I very much like the format here. Thank you for sharing.

Chris

[Alan S Jeeves]

I love villanelles Chris. This one is a 20th. century style (10 syllable) effort as opposed to the 19th. century style (8 syllable - my favourite).
Villanelles fell out of favour somewhat during the first part of the 20th. century until Dylan Thomas published his 1947 composition, 1951 published, 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night' - a 10 syllable villanelle. This popularised the villanelle form once more.
WW's 'Daffodils' was one of the early poems we learned back in school and certainly calls up images of springtime. Who has not walked out on a fine spring morning and not searched for Wordsworth's daffodils ? - green fields awash with gold.
Most villanelles are pastorals (although not always) therefore, I have included many in my pastoral collections.
Thank you for reading and reviewing Chris, and thanks to WW for the inspiration.
Kind regards, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Nothing like a full bodied view of daffodils dancing. Yes WW, we are thankful. Your knowledge of poetry is extensive Alan. I just write it:) Good Thursday morning to you.