In praise of... £1 daffodils

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. 

William Wordsworth was moved to poetic rapture at the sight of a host of golden daffodils, which he numbered at ten thousand; I just have a small bunch. A small bunch costing only £1 - the first of various I will no doubt buy, as a small treat, over the next couple of months.  

Yesterday I posted this photo on social media, commenting: A few days of golden simplicity. Not quite "fluttering and dancing in the breeze", but certainly glowing... Certainly glowing. My home is far from drab, and gets plenty of natural light, whilst the neutral décor and furniture is livened up by colourful pictures and cloths, plants, and shelves filled with varicoloured books. It never looks dull, even on a grey day... and yet, there is a definite, enlivening, golden glow coming from that little vase, standing out boldly and brightly whenever I glance in its direction. 

Sharing the photo sparked a lovely response. A few people posted photos of their own glowing, golden daffodils; others commented on the newness and simple joy they bring, and the spirit-lifting hope and optimism about spring's imminence they bear. Here in the northern hemisphere their bright, sunshine-y appearance, even after the coldest, darkest of winters - maybe pushing their way through frost-hardened earth - speaks to us of hope, certainly, and of resilience and revival. And with the pandemic far from over, prices rising and so much chaos and instability around us, it is good to be reminded that in the midst of all that the seasons continue to turn, the days are gradually getting longer, and spring will come again, as it always does. 

And, as Wordsworth found, their "jocund company" also fills our hearts with pleasure - all of which is definitely a bargain at only £1! 


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