Daffodils

in time of daffodils (who know

the goal of living is to grow)

forgetting why, remember how

-ee cummings

from To an Early Daffodil

Thy green shoots up, inheriting the dowers

Of bending sky and sudden, sweeping showers,

Till ripe and blossoming thou art a thing

To make all nature glad, thou art so gay;

To fill the lonely with a joy untold;

Nodding at every gust of wind to-day,

To-morrow jewelled with raindrops. Always bold

To stand erect, full in the dazzling play

Of April's sun, for thou hast caught his gold.

-by Amy Lowell

The Song of the Daffodil Fairy

by Cicely Mary Barker

I’m everyone’s darling; the blackbird and starling

Are shouting about me from blossom and boughs.

For I, the Lent-lily, the Daffy-down-dilly,

Have heard through the country the call to arouse.

The orchards are ringing with voices a-singing

The praise of my petticoat, praise of my gown;

The children are playing, and hark! they are saying

That Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town!

daffodil fairy painting by Cicely Mary Barker