Poetry

  

  POETRY

J.S. Bottar

 Consult JSB Notes

 E-mail: jsbottar@hotmail.com

 ttp://jsbottarnotes.blogspot.com    

CONTENTS
Sr #	Poem	Poet’s Name
1	Written in March	William Wordsworth	Summary
2	Daffodils	William Wordsworth	·         Paraphrasing/ About the flower
3	Little Deeds of Kindness	Fanny J. Crosby	Summary
4	A Nation’s Strength	Ralph Waldo Emerson	·         Summary / Paraphrasing
5	“Hope” is the thing with feathers	Emily Dickenson	Summary/ Paraphrasing
6	Time to Talk	Robert Frost	Summary
7	Every day It Happens	Kathleen Kiker	Summary
8

NOTE:  You will see the double summaries and the paraphrasing of almost every poem, but it is up to you which one you like to prefer.

1. WRITTEN IN MARCH

(by William Wordsworth)

Summary:

This is a beautiful and thought provoking poem by Wordsworth. The poet is describing the natural beauty and expressing the ecstasy at the coming of the spring season. All the people are at work. The birds are chirping happily and the water in streams and lakes is flowing with all its shine. Even the cattle are not raising their heads while grazing. The snow has started to melt like a defeated army. The plough boy is whooping anon-anon. We can see happiness everywhere as the fountains have got their water back. The rain is over and gone, leaving few clouds in the clear blue sky. The poet expresses the natural beauty and attraction of the spring season in the whole poem.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Daffodils

 (Old name: I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud)

by William Wordsworth 

(17^th April 1770 – 23^rd April 1850)

Wordsworth's poem is very simple and understandable. It is one of his attractive poems about nature.

PARAPHRASE

Stanza # 1

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;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Paraphrasing: (Poet says) when I wandered lonely over the valleys and hills like a floating cloud, I saw a host of golden daffodils at the same time. Under the trees, they were pulsating and dancing near the lake in the morning air.

Stanza # 2 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 Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System. [nb 1] Its name "milky" is derived from its appearance as a dim glowing band arching across the night sky whose individual stars cannot be distinguished by the naked eye.

Paraphrasing: They (daffodils) were like stars in the sky that shine and twinkle continuously. They were overextended and unending beside the margin of the bay. Looking thousands at a glance and were emotionally dancing by tossing their heads.

Stanza # 3

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

Paraphrasing: By being near to them (the daffodils) the waves of the lake danced but they (the daffodils) seemed happier than the waves. Poet could not be happy but he felt pleasure in the joyful company of the flowers. I looked and again looked and thought in little that this healthy show had brought wealth for me.

Stanza # 4

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.

Paraphrasing: Now often, when I lie down on my couch in vacant and thoughtful mood they (the daffodils) appear in my mind through inward eye which is the pleasure of solitude. After all of this my heart fills with pleasure and dances with the daffodils.                                                                                                                          _______________________________________________________________

About the Daffodil Flower

Daffodils are one of the earliest flowers to bloom in the spring and are often associated with springtime and rebirth. These trumpet-shaped flowers come in a variety of sizes and colors. Traditional daffodils are sunny yellow, but some varieties are white or pastel yellow and some are even pink or green.

 What Does the Daffodil Flower Mean?

While the daffodil’s primary symbolism is that of new beginnings, rebirth and the coming of spring, it has many others. Some of the most common meanings for the daffodil flower are:

Creativity Inspiration Renewal and Vitality Awareness and Inner Reflection Memory Forgiveness

Etymological Meaning of the Daffodil Flower

Daffodils belong to the genus narcissus, which includes jonquils and paper-whites. While people in some regions refer to large, yellow narcissus as daffodils and the smaller, paler versions as jonquils, they all belong to the genus narcissus and carry the common name of daffodil. It gains its name from the Greek god narcissus. According to legend, Narcissus was so enamoured with his own reflection in the river that he drowned trying to capture his reflection. The daffodils growing along stream banks soon became associated with Narcissus and took on his name, probably due to the beauty of their reflected image in the water.

ADVERTISEMENTS

---

Symbolism of the Daffodil Flower

The daffodil has similar uplifting meanings across cultures, probably because this bright flower appears as the cold, dark days of winter wane and the warm rays of spring appear.

• China: The daffodil symbolizes good fortune in the Chinese culture. In fact, it is so esteemed for its ability to bring forth positive things that it is the official symbol of the Chinese New year.
• Japan: To the Japanese people, the daffodil means mirth and joyousness.
• France: In France, the daffodil is a sign of hope.
• Wales: A Welsh legend claims that the person to find the first daffodil bloom will be blessed with more gold than silver in the upcoming year.
• Arabian Countries: The Arabians believe the daffodil flower was an aphrodisiac and cure for baldness.
• Medieval Europe: The medieval Europeans believed that if your gaze caused a daffodil to droop it was an omen of impending death.
• United States: In the United States, the daffodil is the official symbol for the American Cancer Association, symbolizing hope for a cure. It is also the flower for the month of March and the symbol of the 10^th wedding anniversary.

The Daffodil Flower Facts

Daffodils produce trumpet shaped flowers on a slender stalk raised above the foliage. These striking flowers range from miniature 2-inch plants with ½-inch blooms to 2-foot plants with 5-inch blooms.  They include the paperwhite narcissus, a popular holiday plant. There are over 50 species and approximately 13,000 varieties of daffodils.

The daffodil is native to the Mediterranean regions. Both the Greeks and Romans grew daffodils, but unexplainably abandoned them. They grew wild until 1629 when the English decided to cultivate them again.  Daffodils still grow wild in many European countries. In fact, in some areas of Switzerland and Austria the blooming of the narcissi is celebrated with festivals. Daffodils brought to America by early settlers have naturalized in many areas of the United States.

Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Daffodil Flower

The bulb of the daffodil is poisonous, limiting its use for natural or herbal remedies.

• Narcissus Plaster: A plaster made from the bulbs of the narcissus plant is used to relieve the pain associated with arthritis, wounds, burns and strains.

• Traditional Medicine: Research on the use of the narcissus plant for treating Alzheimer’s disease is currently underway.
• Herbal Remedies: Daffodil is thought to treat asthma, colds and whooping cough and to induce vomiting, but caution is advised, as daffodil can be a dangerous remedy.
• Fragrance:  Essential oils made from the narcissus plant are sometimes used to promote relaxation and reduce stress, but caution must be exercised as too much oil can cause headaches and vomiting. Daffodil oil can be used in crafts or making potpourri. It is  also used in perfumes and cosmetics.

The Daffodil Flower’s Message Is…

The daffodil flower’s message is uplifting and energizing, making it the perfect flower to celebrate new beginnings or simply express your desire to revive an old relationship.  It is appropriate for  a housewarming, birth or simply to celebrate the coming of spring.
__________________________________________________________________

3. LITTLE DEEDS OF KINDNESS 

(Poem By Fanny  J. Crosby)

Summary:

a) Fanny J. Crosby describes in her poem that we should not look down little things upon little things. Everything has its importance how little it may be. As we see every big thing is made up of little things. An ocean is made up of little drops of water. Little grains of sand make a big desert. In the same way little, little errors become big sins. Little deeds of kindness and love console the hearts and bring happiness in this world.

b) Another summary

In her poem little things, the poetess Julia a Carney beautifully makes us aware of the importance and effects of little things and the minor mistakes. The little drops of water make the mighty. Oceans. The little grains of sand make this beautiful land. The little moments make ages. In the same way little errors take us away from the right path. Little deeds of kindness and little words of love can make us dear to even our enemies. In this way this world can become a happy place to live in.

_________________________________

  

4. A Nation’s Strength 

(by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Summary:

This is a very short poem written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The poet highlighted a very important nation (idea) about the secret of a successful nation. The poet tells us that a nation is made great and strong by its people and not by any kind of wealth. These are those people who remain steadfast and are always ready to face difficulties for the sake of truth and honour. These are the brave men who show bravery when the coward people run away or keep on taking rest. These are brave men who make strong and deep pillars of a nation and lift it to the sky of success.

Questions/ Answers

Q1: What is the most essential quality for making a nation strong?

Answer: Hardworking and bravery are the most essential qualities for making a nation strong.

Q2: Who suffers long form a nation?

Answer: Brave and truthful men suffer long for a nation.

Q3: How do brave men contribute towards building “nation’s pillar deep”?

Answer: The brave men contribute towards building “nation’s pillars deep” by fighting for truth and honour.  They show courage and they keep on working hard when other take rest or show cowardice.

Q4: What is the main idea of the poem?

Answer: The main idea of the poem is that brave men build their nation by working hard and taking bold steps.

Paraphrasing of the Stanzas

Stanza 1:

Not gold but only men can make

A people great and strong;

Men who for truth and honour’s sake

Stand fast and suffer long.

A Nation can be made great by the people and not by any wealth. These are the people who remain steadfast and always remain ready to face the difficulties for the sake of truth and honour.

Stanza 2:

Brave men who work while others sleep,

Who dare while others fly...

They build a nation’s pillars deep

And lift them to the sky.

The brave men keep on working when others take rest. These brave men show bravery when the coward people run away. These are the men who make strong and deep pillars of a nation and lift it to the sky of success. 

_______________________________

5. "Hope" is the thing with feathers 
(by Emily Dickinson)

NOTE:  You will see sometimes the double summaries and the paraphrasing of the poem; but it would be up to you which one do you like to prefer.

Paraphrasing of the Stanzas

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all –

STANZA #1

Paraphrasing (A):

Lines 1 – 4

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul. It continually sings a song without words.

Paraphrasing (B):

Lines 1 – 4Hope is a bird with feathers, resting on the branches of the soul. It never ever stops singing the wordless song.

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard –

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm – 

STANZA #2

Paraphrasing

Lines 5 – 8

The sweetest song is heard (by the speaker) in the wind storm. The violent gale could humiliate the little bird that has helped so many people.

STANZA #3

Paraphrasing

Lines 5 – 8

I've heard it in the chilliest land -

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me

I have heard it (the song) in the very cold land and on the strangest sea. Even so, it never asked me for a piece of bread.

6- “A Time to Talk”

by Robert Frost

 Summary # 1

The poem ‘A Time to Talk’ by Robert Frost talks about the importance of friendship and how nothing can stop us from greeting a friend who has come to visit us. The subject of the poem is on the field when he is approached by a friend on horseback, and slows his horse to a meaningful walk. It is about the field worker’s quick decision during his work whether he should have to meet his friend or not, who is interested in conversation with him. He, the field worker, decides to stop working and finish hoeing, and talk to his friend rather than keep on working persistently.

رابرٹ فراسٹ کی نظم 'اے ٹائم ٹو ٹاک' دوستی کی اہمیت کے بارے میں بتاتی ہے اور کس طرح کوئی بھی چیز ہمیں کسی دوست کو سلام کرنے سے نہیں روک سکتی جو ہم سے ملنے آیا ہے۔ نظم کا موضوع میدان میں ہے جب گھوڑے پر سوار ایک دوست اس سے رابطہ کرتا ہے، اور اپنے گھوڑے کو بامعنی چہل قدمی کے لیے سست کر دیتا ہے۔ یہ اپنے کام کے دوران فیلڈ ورکر کے فوری فیصلے کے بارے میں ہے کہ آیا اسے اپنے دوست سے ملنا چاہیے یا نہیں، جو اس کے ساتھ بات چیت میں دلچسپی رکھتا ہے۔ وہ، فیلڈ ورکر، کام بند کرنے اور کدالیں ختم کرنے کا فیصلہ کرتا ہے، اور مسلسل کام کرتے رہنے کے بجائے اپنے دوست سے بات کرتا ہے۔

 Summary # 2

The poem “A Time to Talk” is a short ten-line poem written by Robert Frost. The poem is more specifically, a snapshot of the lightning-quick moment of the decision taken by a field worker. It is more broadly about choosing to stop the seemingly continuous actions of work when approached by a friend interested in the conversation. The subject of the poem is on the field when he is approached by a friend on a horseback, and “slows his horse to a meaning walk”; the worker is challenged with a choice to dismiss his friendly offer or not. He, the worker, decides that it is of more lasting value to him to stop working to talk to this friend than to keep working doggedly and finish hoeing for the day. “I don’t stand still to look around at all the hills I haven’t hoed”.

نظم "اے ٹائم ٹو ٹاک" رابرٹ فراسٹ کی لکھی ہوئی دس سطروں کی ایک مختصر نظم ہے۔ نظم خاص طور پر، ایک فیلڈ ورکر کی طرف سے کیے گئے فیصلے کے بجلی کے فوری لمحے کا ایک تصویر ہے۔ بات چیت میں دلچسپی رکھنے والے دوست کی طرف سے رابطہ کرنے پر کام کی بظاہر دائمی کارروائیوں کو روکنے کا انتخاب کرنے کے بارے میں یہ زیادہ وسیع ہے۔ نظم کا موضوع میدان میں ہے جب گھوڑے کی پیٹھ پر ایک دوست اس سے رابطہ کرتا ہے، "اپنے گھوڑے کو معنی خیز چلنے کے لیے سست کرتا ہے"؛ کارکن کو اپنے دوستانہ اوورچر کو مسترد کرنے یا نہ کرنے کے انتخاب کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔ وہ، کارکن، فیصلہ کرتا ہے کہ اس دوست سے بات کرنے کے لیے کام کرنا چھوڑ دینا اس کے لیے زیادہ دیرپا اہمیت کا حامل ہے، بجائے اس کے کہ وہ دن بھر کدال سے کام کرتا رہے۔ "میں ان تمام پہاڑیوں کو دیکھنے کے لیے کھڑا نہیں ہوں جن پر میں نے نہیں لگایا"

7. EVERYDAY IT HAPPENS

(by Kathleen Kiker)

SUMMARY

The poem ‘Everyday It Happens’ is written by the poetess Kathleen Kiker. Her poem is about the feelings of a child who has been bullied in school every day and considers himself a bullying victim. He faces hate when speaking to peers, but he forgives them. The child bears listening to their harsh words, suppresses his anger and wipes his tears. He cannot hide from them even if there is a smile or tears on his face. He feels fear in dreams and wishes it were not so.

نظم ’ایوری ڈے اٹ ہیپینس‘ شاعرہ کیتھلین کیکر نے لکھی ہے۔ اس کی نظم ایک ایسے بچے کے جذبات کے بارے میں ہے جو ہر روز اسکول میں غنڈہ گردی کا شکار ہوتا ہے اور خود کو غنڈہ گردی کا شکار سمجھتا ہے۔ ساتھیوں سے بات کرتے وقت اسے نفرت کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے لیکن وہ انہیں معاف کر دیتا ہے۔ بچہ ان کی سخت باتوں کو سنتا ہے، اپنے غصے کو دباتا ہے اور اپنے آنسو پونچھتا ہے۔ وہ ان سے چھپ نہیں سکتا خواہ اس کے چہرے پر مسکراہٹ ہو یا آنسو۔ وہ خوابوں میں خوف محسوس کرتا ہے اور چاہتا ہے کہ ایسا نہ ہو۔