WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Poems About Nature: Discovering the Beauty and Power of Nature in William Wordsworth’s Poems

William Wordsworth, oil on panel, 1831

NATURE

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH NIGHTINGALE! THOU SURELY ART

Today, I heard a stock dove sing—telling its simple, familiar tale. Its voice was tucked away among the trees, carried gently by the breeze. It didn’t stop but kept cooing, softly and thoughtfully, as if lost in its own world. The song was about love, blending seamlessly into the air, starting slow but never truly ending. It carried a quiet faith, a deep joy from within. And as I listened, I knew—that song meant for me!” –WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

About William Wordsworth: Wordsworth (1770-1850) was one of England’s most cherished poets and a key figure in the Romantic movement. He was known for his deep love of nature and his belief that poetry should be written in simple, everyday language that speaks to the soul.

Wordsworth’s most famous work, The Prelude, is an autobiographical poem about his early years and personal growth as a poet. Though he revised it several times throughout his life, it wasn’t published until after his death.

Even if the brightness we once knew is gone forever, and we can never return to those moments of beauty and joy—there’s no need to drown in sorrow. Instead, we can find strength in what’s left behind. In the deep connections we’ve made, in the wisdom that comes from pain, in the faith that sees beyond loss, and in the perspective that only time can bring. – William Wordsworth

Born in Cockermouth, England, Wordsworth grew up surrounded by the beauty of the Lake District, which heavily influenced his poetry. Perhaps best known for his poem Daffodils, which begins with the famous lines:

“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…”

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His personal life was just as eventful.

While in France, he had a daughter, Caroline, but left before she was born.

Years later, he returned to reconnect with her before marrying his childhood friend, Mary Hutchinson. Together, they had five kids, but tragically, two of them passed away in 1812 while the family was living in Grasmere.

Through all the ups and downs of life, Wordsworth kept writing, drawing inspiration from nature, memories, and the human experience.

Even though he grew up in a grand mansion in the Lake District, his childhood wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. He had a pretty distant relationship with his father, and that never really changed. But, in a way, his father gave him something priceless—a love for literature. With access to an amazing library, young William spent hours reading and getting inspired by some of the greatest writers ever, shaping him into the poet we know today.

To explore what William Wordsworth offers you, try the following:

• Give yourself a designated time each week, or each day if you can, to walk barefoot on the grass or to immerse yourself in nature and just listen.
• Write your reactions to nature through your own poetry or essay. Forget about rhyming schemes and rules of grammar.
• Allow yourself to be a poet and record your divine intuition as you commune with nature, just as Wordsworth did a few centuries back.
• Plan extended time in nature on your next vacation!
• Sleep one night outdoors, even if it is a tent in your backyard. (Embrace a little discomfort—it’s worth it!)

Nature has a way of reconnecting us to ourselves, just like Wordsworth showed us through his poetry. So take a moment, step outside, and let the world inspire you.

Whether it’s through a walk in the park or just sitting under the stars, nature has endless ways of sparking creativity and inner peace.

Nature is always waiting–ready to inspire, heal, and remind you of the beauty in the simple things.

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Photo credits:

William Wordsworth, oil on panel, 1831

Source: National Portrait Gallery London. Link: https://www.npg.org.uk/

The complete poetical works of William Wordsworth
Year: 1910 (1910s)

Source: Cornell University Library. Link: http://commons.wikimedia.org/

Wordsworth Manor (White Moss House near Grasmere) by William Hart, 1852, oil on panel – Albany Institute of History and Art – DSC08054

Source: Wikimedia Commons. Link: http://commons.wikimedia.org/