I love daffodils.

I also love Jefferson Park. Unfortunately there are no daffodils in Jefferson Park – but no shortage of daffodils in the houses along the east, west, and south sides of the park. The north side runs along Lorain Avenue and has no houses.

While there are 57 houses along the three sides (based on my count) – the photographs are from only 13 houses.

Because of the cold spring – the daffodils were late in blooming in some areas. In other areas – the cold had no effect.

The photographs show what I saw between April 17 and May 4, 2018. Most of the photographs were taken from the sidewalks. In a few cases – I had access to the backyards of the houses. Most of the photographs were taken when the daffodils were in full bloom – but not in all cases.

 

 

 

 

 

Every time I see a daffodil – I am reminded of the last stanza from William Wordsworth’s (British poet, 1770-1850) famous poem titled “I wandered lonely as a cloud” but popularly known as “The Daffodils”.

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.

Here is the complete poem composed in 1807:

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.