Introduction

Welcome to my blog for Grade 10 Academic English class. You are responsible for devising several blog entries where you create, critique, or comment upon literature.  

Introductory Post: The Meaning Behind "Dancing With Daffodils"
     The name of my blog, "Dancing With Daffodils", alludes to William Wordsworth's Romantic poem, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud", written in 1804. It reminds me of the power of escape that the beauty of nature offers in troubling times. When my son was in the hospital fighting for his life three years ago, I read by his bedside as I tried to stay sane. This was one of those poems that spoke to me. It is both grounding and humbling to consider the power of escape that the beautiful image of a simple field of golden daffodils "fluttering and dancing in the breeze" (6) offers an anxious soul. In my mind, the picture this poem paints is one of solace and grace that is a safe place to which to escape. I wanted to choose something rather personal as I created this Blog for you, so I thought this motif was rather fitting.


"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"

I wandered lonely as a cloudThat 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. 

 - William Wordsworth

Your first task is to create a blog.

Step 1: Go to blogger.com and log in with your gmail account. Share your blog with me by joining my blog. Email me: haydengdci@gmail.com if you are having problems. Be sure to allow "Reader comments".

Step 2: Choose a blog name with poetic connotations. If you have a poem in mind, go for it. Otherwise, do some research to find something that speaks to you. You may choose a title, line, or image from a favourite poem or song lyric. Also choose a basic template for your blog to start. If you are feeling quite put on the spot, there is a mind-boggling array of poetry posted online: look at links like The Poetry Foundation or 30 Great Poems Everyone Should Know. 

Step 3: Create your first blog post. Call it -- Introduction: The Meaning Behind _______ (blog name) or something creative where I get what you're saying. In it, explain why you chose the name you did for your blog. Paste the poem and write a paragraph describing the impact the poem has on you, or how it reflects a side of your personality or experiences.  

Step 4: Edit carefully. There is a spellcheck option here too! Use formal voice.

Step 5: Include a picture that relates to your chosen poem. You can choose where it goes. Label your poem "Introduction".