Featured Poem: The Sea Shell by William Wordsworth

It seems like the weather will take a turn for the better this week, and this particular poem by William Wordsworth is a great one to read to compliment the summer days - even if you can't make it to a beach and go shell-hunting, it's bound to bring back fond memories of 'sonorous cadences' and more besides.

Wordsworth is a popular choice amongst our shared reading groups, with members commenting that 'there is something about Wordsworth!'. We would definitely have to agree, and this poem speaks to that notion loud and clear.

The Sea Shell

A curious child, who dwelt upon a tract
Of inland ground, applying to his ear
The convolutions of a smooth-lipped shell;
To which, in silence hushed, his very soul
Listened intensely; and his countenance soon
Brightened with joy; for murmurings from within
Were heard, sonorous cadences! whereby
To his belief, the monitor expressed
Mysterious union with his native sea.
Even in such a shell the Universe itself
Is to the ear of Faith: and there are times,
I doubt not, when to you it doth impart
Authentic tidings of invisible things;
Of ebb and flow and ever-during power;
And central peace, subsisting at the heart
Of endless agitation.

William Wordsworth