Flowers in English Poetry

You like flowers, dont you? What flowers do you like? Whats your favourite one? Do you grow flowers? Look after them? Do you know any poems or legends about them? Welcome to learn some more

William Wordsworth William Wordsworth was the acknowledged head and founder of the Lake School of Poetry. William Wordsworth was born in the Lake District. The magnificent landscape, the sights and scenes of the Lake District in which he spent most of his life deeply influenced his imagination and gave him love of nature. He lost his mother when he was 8 and 5 years later his father. The domestic problems separated him from his sister Dorothy. It took him many years, and much writing to recover from the death of his parents and his separation. Together with Coleridge he started the English Romantic movement. He focused on the nature, children, the poor, common people and used ordinary words to express his feelings. William Wordsworth was a great English poet, a deep, original thinker who created a new poetic tradition.

Doras Field

The Daffodils 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. What is the impression the poem produces? In what way does Wordsworth invest his description of motion? Does the author succeed in creating the atmosphere of spring? Which lines would you call unexpected and out of the ordinary? Quote the lines that strike your fancy most. Give reasons to your preference. Explain the use of the Present Indefinite at the end of the verse.

Максим Стріха Немов самотня хмара, брів Я навмання в високих травах І раптом на путі зустрів Поля нарцисів золотавих; І переливами заграв Над ними вітер пробігав! Неначе зорям мерехтливим, Числа нарцисам не було. Вони постали над заливом, - Мінливе нескінченне тло, Котре стелилось перед зором Дзвінким різноголосим хором. Іскрились хвилі на воді, І вторили їм блиском квіти, Й нараз поет прогнав тоді Від себе настрій сумовитий, Хоч достеменно ще не знав, Якого Дару там надбав... Бо часто в роздумі глибокім Чи як жену, думки пусті, Встають перед духовним оком, Що нам - розрада в самоті, Нарциси хвилями ясними І серце йде в танок із ними!

Светлана Суворова Как одиноки облака... Так брёл и я – похож на них, Как вдруг узрел издалека Нарциссов поле золотых, Вдоль озера, деревьев близ, Танцующих под легкий бриз. Как звезд искристых дивный рой, На Млечном блещущем Пути, Они раскинулись дугой, Конца которой не найти, Их десять тысяч я узрел – Сплетенных в танце хрупких тел. В пляс волны – но не превзойти В веселости танцоров им : Поэту нынче по пути С беспечным буйством золотым ! И было, было невдомек, Что зыбкий танец дать мне смог. С тех пор устану ли от дум Или печален без причин, Их танец вдруг придет на ум, Где сам себе я господин, И сердце счастьем вновь полно, С цветами кружит заодно.

Ullswater Area

Александр Лукьянов Я брёл как облачко весною Один, меж долом и горой. И вдруг увидел пред собою Нарциссов жёлтых целый рой - В тени деревьев у реки, Бриз волновал их лепестки. Толпясь, как звёзды, что мерцают, Украсив дымкой небосвод, Они по берегу мелькают, Вдаль унося свой хоровод. Десятки тысяч их сплелись, Головки устремляя ввысь. Играя рядом, даже волны Не превзошли весельем их. Поэт ! И ты задором полон В кругу нарциссов золотых, Бросая восхищённый взгляд На этот радостный парад. Когда усталый отдыхаю, И опечалится мой взор, Они в мечтах приносят стаей На смену скуке свой задор ; И сердце радостью полно, Танцуя с ними заодно.

С. Я. Маршак Я шел неведомой тропой Как тучка в небе, одинокий. И вдруг у ног моих толпой Зашелестели златооки. В тени листвы у синих вод, Нарядный, зыбкий хоровод. Как звезд бесчисленных огни Сверкают, в путь сливаясь млечный, Над краем озера они Бежали цепью бесконечной И все, качая головой, Плясали резвый танец свой. Кружились волны невдали В лучах, но блеском и задором Их златооки превзошли... Глядел я долгим, жадным взором, Не зная сам, как много дал Мне их нежданный карнавал. Как часто, часто с этих пор, Когда грущу я одинокий, Вдруг ослепят духовный взор, Дрожа, волнуясь, златооки. Вновь сердце радости полно И пляшет с ними заодно!

Cicely Mary Barker Cicely Mary Barker's artistic talent was first recognized when she was 16 years of age with the publication of a set of postcards. Born in 1895 in London, she received most of her formal education at home due to ill health. It was here that she taught herself to draw and paint. The publication of a series of Flower Fairies books beginning in 1923 brought her international acclaim as an artist. Cicely Mary Barker carefully studied plants, flowers, insects and butterflies, and her artistic studying of children are evident in her work. Cecily Mary Barker's sister, Dorothy, was a kindergarten teacher, and her students doubled as subjects for Barker's illustrations. Children and adults alike have since enjoyed her charming, yet botanically accurate illustrations and accompanying poems.

Winter Aconite Deep in the Earth I woke, I stirred. I said: "Was that the spring I heard? For something called!" "No, no," they said: "Go back to sleep. Go back to bed." "You're far too soon; The world's too cold For you, so small." So I was told. But how could I Go back to sleep? I could not wait; I had to peep! Up, up, I climbed, And here am I. How wide the earth! How great the sky! O wintry world, See me, awake! Spring calls, and comes; 'tis no mistake.

What mood does the poem reflect? In whose mouth does the author put the above monologue? Explain the lines: But how could I Go back to sleep? I could not wait; I had to peep!

Crocus Crocus of yellow, new and gay Mauve and purple, in brave array; Crocus white Like a cup of light, Hundreds of them smiling up, Each with a flame in its shining cup By the touch of the warm and welcome sun Opened suddenly. Spring's Begun! Dance then, fairies, for joy, and sing The song of the coming again of Spring.

What is the mood conveyed by the poem? Which words would you call the key words of the poem and why? Interpret the words: Crocus white Like a cup of light, Hundreds of them smiling up, Each with a flame in its shining cup.

Lavender "Lavender's blue, diddle diddle"- So goes the song; All round her bush, diddle diddle, Butterflies throng; (They love her well, diddle diddle, So do the bees;) While she herself, diddle diddle, Sways in the breeze! Lavender's blue, diddle diddle, Lavender's green She'll scent the clothes, diddle diddle, Put away clean- Clean from the wash, diddle diddle, Hanky and sheet; Lavender's spikes, diddle diddle, Make them all sweet!

Draw a list of words that occur most often in the poem. Explain their importance. What is the most dominant mood of this poem? What is it that creates the atmosphere of quiet and peace?

The Song of the Rose Fairy Best and dearest flower that grows, Perfect both to see and smell; Words can never, never tell Half the beauty of a Rose- Buds that open to disclose Fold on fold of purest white, Lovely pink, or red that glows Deep, sweet-scented. What delight To be Fairy of the Rose!

What is the general atmosphere of the poem? Point the lines revealing poets admiration. Which words would you call the key words of the poem and why? Is the verse of the poem musical? What words denote the beauty of the poem?

The Song of the Wild Rose Fairy I am the queen whom everybody knows: I am the English Rose; As light and free as any Jenny Wren, As dear to Englishmen; As joyous as a Robin Redbreasts tune, I scent the air of June; My buds are rosy as a babys cheek; I have one word to speak, One word which is my secret and my song, Tis England, England, England all day long.

Interpret the meaning of the poem as you understand. What are the key words? How can you call the mood of the poem? By whom are these words supposed to be spoken? England, England, England

Mary Howitt Mary Howitt was an English poet, and author. Mary was educated at home, and read widely. She commenced writing verses at a very early age. On 16 April 1821 she was married to William Howitt, and began a career of joint authorship with her husband. William was a pharmacist. In 1823 William decided to give up his business and concentrate with Mary on writing. Together with her husband they wrote over 180 books. The Times says, speaking of the Howitts: Their friends used jokingly to call them William and Mary, and to maintain that they had been crowned together like their royal prototypes. Nothing that either of them wrote will live, but they were so industrious, so disinterested, so amiable, so devoted to the work of spreading good and innocent literature, that their names ought not to disappear unmourned.

Buttercups and Daisies Buttercups and daisies – Oh the pretty flowers, Coming ere the springtime To tell of sunny hours. While the trees are leafless, its paly gold While the fields are bare, Buttercups and daisies Spring up here and there. Ere the snowdrop peepeth Ere the crocus bold, Ere the early primrose Opes its paly gold, Somewhere on a sunny bank Buttercups are bright; Somewhere mong the frozen grass Peeps the daisy white. Welcome yellow buttercups Welcome daisies white, Ye are in my spirit Visioned, a delight!

Render the impression suggested by the poem under examination. What is the general mood created by the author? Is it sad or joyous? What lines and phrases betray the emotions of the poet?

James Reeves The real name of James Reeves was John Morris ( ). He is a British writer known for his poetry. James Reeves was born near London and educated in Stowe school and in Cambridge. He began his writing career as a poet and first turned his attention to writing for young readers. James Reeves lived mainly in the country. Many of his poems show the country life experience. He taught and lectured for teachers, but in 1952 he gave that up to devote his time to writing and broadcasting. Reeves is also known for the literature of collected traditional songs. James Reeves wrote 30 books of poetry, stories and anthologies for children and grown ups. Ha was known as a critic and broadcaster. The most famous books are The Wandering Moon and The Blackbird in the Lilac.

Things to Remember The buttercups in May, The wild rose on the spray, The poppy in the hay, The primrose in the dell, The freckled foxglove bell, The honeysuckle's smell Are things I would remember When cheerless, raw November Makes room for December. Why is the poem called Things to remember? What are the key words of the poem? What mood is set by the poem?