Tiny Wildflowers, 1

Forgive me, Wordsworth

Hello, Poetry Friend

I’ve never loved William Wordsworth. I even kinda made fun of his poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” in my book The Joy of Poetry.

“Do you think Wordsworth literally danced? Maybe he got off his couch, grabbed a golden flower from a vase and pranced around the room—you never can tell with poets. Why is he in love with daffodils? Is it a metaphor? Did he miss his calling to be a florist?

But when I finally learned that poem by heart, I found myself loving his exuberance. This summer I’ve been tapping into my inner Wordworth as I prepare for another poem-painting collaboration with Nan Henke. It’s called Tiny Wildflowers.

This time we are totally flower-focused, but not showy ones like daffodils or bluebonnets. We’re celebrating the wealth found in the tiny wildflowers, those overlooked and little loved.

While writing the poems to accompany Nan’s paintings, I read Poetry for Young People: William Wordsworth, edited by Dr. Alan Liu, illustrated by James Muir. I love this entire poetry series, pairing poems with illustrations, accompanied by introductions anyone can understand.

Yes, William, there is a spirit in the woods. And tiny wildflowers across the pasture and in the ditch and beside the gravel road. Move among them with gentleness.

poem by Wordsworth

Here’s one that did not end up in the show, but I couldn’t resist poeming it anyway.

Beggar’s ticks

Desmodium psilophyllum,
you cling to my pants with hooked hair.
Let me free!

–Megan Willome

Our show opens this Friday, August 2, at Fredericksburg Art Guild during First Friday Art Walk. It’s come and go, from 4-8 p.m. in the cute house at 308 East Austin Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. Tiny Wildflowers will be the featured show for the whole month, and I will be posting more about it throughout August.

August 2-September 1, 2024

Next week, more about our guy, Thomas Drummond: botanist, explorer, flower-enthusiast. He also had a thing for mosses.

Happy poeming!

Megan

P.S. Painting & Poem combinations may be purchased by contacting the guild at 830/997-4949 or FredericksburgArtGuild@gmail.com.