Poetry Sunday: To Daffodils by Robert Herrick

What flower is more emblematic of spring than the daffodil? Poet Robert Herrick certainly found it to be so. And like the daffodil, our "spring," too, is all too brief. 

To Daffodils

by Robert Herrick

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain'd his noon.
Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day
Has run
But to the even-song;
And, having pray'd together, we
Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
We die
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
Ne'er to be found again.

Note: This poem always brings to mind one of my favorite songs by Ian and Sylvia back in the day. (Yes, I am that old!)
 

Comments

  1. HarveeMarch 24, 2024 at 5:13 AM

    We have a few daffodils and are enjoying them while they last.

    Harvee https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. David M. Gascoigne,March 24, 2024 at 5:28 AM

    It’s true, they are fleeting. Enjoy them while you may.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TomMarch 24, 2024 at 7:04 AM

    ...flowers teach us to enjoy each day as it comes our way.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LisaMarch 24, 2024 at 11:22 AM

    So true, mine are done already, and they aren't attractive once the flowers are gone. Messy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lark March 25, 2024 at 10:26 AM

    Our daffodils do always come up first...and fade first. Our tulips and crocuses are appearing now. Lovely choice of poems! :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMarch 28, 2024 at 8:45 AM

    I'm pretty sure we don't have daffodils around here, but azaleas are just as lovely and just as fleeting.

    ReplyDelete

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