Let marathoners
thunder past,
I will dilly-dally
on trimmed grass,
nodding to daffodils
sunny with yellow,
reading aloud
a little Longfellow.
Copyright 2017 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: In the past, I turned to Wordsworth, but this year these two poems inspired me to reflect on Boston’s spring marathon, yet again, passing me by:
Daffodowndilly
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbour:
“Winter is dead.”
— A.A. Milne
The Brook
Laugh of the mountain! — lyre of bird and tree!
Pomp of the meadow! mirror of the morn!
The soul of April, unto whom are born
The rose and jessamine, leaps wild in thee!
Although, where’er thy devious current strays,
The lap of earth with gold and silver teems,
To me thy clear proceeding brighter seems
Than golden sands, that charm each shepherd’s gaze.
How without guile thy bosom, all transparent
As the pure crystal, lets the curious eye
Thy secrets scan, thy smooth, round pebbles count!
How, without malice murmuring, glides thy current!
O sweet simplicity of days gone by!
Thou shun’st the haunts of man, to dwell in limpid fount!

Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
A LITTLE LATE IN SEPTEMBER–BUT LOVELY TO LOOK AT AND REMEMBER!!!!
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I like to remember spring, at all times of year.
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Love the title of this post!
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Thank you!
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I loved the first one and adding the marathoners just really made it pop off the page and into my imagination!
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Thanks, I appreciate your words very much!
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You have such vibrant, happy poems I feel happier than before I hit read 😃
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That is lovely to hear. I always feel happy looking at your festival pictures, too. 🙂
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Aw 🙏 thanks
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Daffodalliance! What a wonderful word. I’m with you, I’d let those marathoners pass right on by while enjoying the flowers. I do like A.A. Milne so much. And of course Wordsworth.
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Thanks, Dori! Another kindred spirit. 🙂
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I always miss the daffodils in our Florida spring. You can find them in Trader Joes, but that’s about it. Fortunately, the lantana in my backyard is sunny with yellow too, so I guess I’ll dilly-dally with them for a while. 🙂
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That sounds like a perfect substitute, Michelle. 🙂
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Hooray, Brenda! I love it when we inspire each other. I thought of you this week as I enjoyed my daffodils, and couldn’t wait to see where you’d run with this topic. The Longfellow is new for me and I was just enjoying the view of his lovely home last evening as we strolled down Brattle Street to a concert on a gloriously perfumed spring evening. Daffodils and tulips in abundance. Cheers!
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What a glorious description. We were in Brighton today by the River. Daffodils, cherry blossoms, pear trees. Geese, mallards, conservationists. Just lovely. 🙂
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I enjoyed reading about your daffodalliance – they are some of my favorites! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thanks so much, Ruth! I enjoy your poetry, too.
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I’m a fan of your title, too! And then your poem seems to be a definition of sorts for your title. Very nice!
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That is funny because the poem came first. 🙂
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Interesting! I guess sometimes we have to come up with a word to sum up our poetic thoughts! It’s a brilliant word!
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Thanks, Penny!
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Oh, I love your title, as well as the thought of dilly-dallying in the grass. I must make time for some of that soon!
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Thanks, JoAnn. We need time for our souls…
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Lovely daffodil poem. All three will be good ones to take with me on my trip to England next spring where I hope to walk among Wordsworth’s daffodils.
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A sack of poems, an airline ticket and an inner life that can’t be matched. You’ll have a great time, no doubt! What a great plan. I visited Bath and toured the narrow townhouses once. It rained. 🙂
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As so many have noted, there’s brilliance in Daffodalliance. Here’s to dilly-dallying amidst spring blossoms!
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Thanks, Molly! My soul feels the better for it. And my feet don’t ache! 🙂
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Our daffodils are nodding to each other across cyberspace, Brenda! Here’s to dilly-dallying and “reading aloud/ a little Longfellow.” Happy spring!
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Yours are playing music to my Longfellow. How perfect! I could reblog your post if you like. 🙂
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Lovely and lively daffodil poem Brenda, can I join you on the grass . . . I also liked the silly A A. Milne poem; and Longfellow a long time ago was bemoaning “O sweet simplicity of days gone by!” perfect, thanks for sharing all!.
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I liked your Georgia O’Keefe ode on Matt’s site this morning. You are always welcome to join me on the grass and dally with Longfellow.
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Oh yes indeed, let others thunder past, I will most happily laze in the green grass and admire the sunshiney daffodils instead! 🙂
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Jane, I think you might be a kindred spirit. 🙂
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I love that title too, Brenda. “DAFFODALLIANCE” is perfect, especially for the topic of skipping the marathon and reading Longfellow instead. I love the Milne poem, know it, but the Longfellow is new. Thanks!
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I went sipping Longfellow, searching for just the right poem for a dalliance. 🙂 The title took the longest time. It all came together with the help of a spelling dictionary, cough syrup and a late night. LOL
I read the Longfellow to my 8-year old daughter, and I felt sad at how language flexibility is shrinking. We are more and more limited to what children hear daily and feel comfortable with.
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Flowers seem to be a topic of choice this week! I love the picture and your poem made me feel so happy inside. Thank you!
I will dilly-dally
on trimmed grass,
nodding to daffodils
sunny with yellow,
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Yes, I am not alone in my flower dalliance. I’m happy to be in harmony with so many others. Thanks for stopping by and leaving me happy words.
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Brilliant as daffodils… their fairy skirts and skills! 😀 xo
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Thanks, Resa!
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Thanks for sharing these
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My pleasure. 🙂
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The title is superb.
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Thank you. I thought and thought about a title to live up to Daffodowndilly. I love your poetry!
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Awww, thank you. And I prefer your title.
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That is a lovely comment. 🙂
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