The Spirit of Poetry by Longfellow

Posted on by Hanna

The Spirit of Poetry
There is a quiet spirit in these woods,
That dwells where’er the gentle south-wind blows;
Where, underneath the white-thorn, in the glade,


The wild flowers bloom, or, kissing the soft air,
The leaves above their sunny palms outspread.
With what a tender and impassioned voice
It fills the nice and delicate ear of thought,


When the fast ushering star of morning comes
O’er-riding the gray hills with golden scarf;
Or when the cowled and dusky-sandalled Eve,
In mourning weeds, from out the western gate,
Departs with silent pace!  That spirit moves

In the green valley, where the silver brook,
From its full laver, pours the white cascade;
And, babbling low amid the tangled woods,
Slips down through moss-grown stones with endless laughter.
And frequent, on the everlasting hills,
Its feet go forth, when it doth wrap itself
In all the dark embroidery of the storm,
And shouts the stern, strong wind.  And here, amid

The silent majesty of these deep woods,
lts presence shall uplift thy thoughts from earth,
As to the sunshine and the pure, bright air
Their tops the green trees lift.  Hence gifted bards
Have ever loved the calm and quiet shades.

For them there was an eloquent voice in all
The sylvan pomp of woods, the golden sun,
The flowers, the leaves, the river on its way…

20 thoughts on “The Spirit of Poetry by Longfellow”

  1. Last time I was in Wales, Wife and I drank a pint of Brains in the Goat Major and wandered around Cardiff Castle. Good times.

    • Hi Alexander. Thank you so much!! We are having the most splendid summer days one can imagine but unfortunately there is a pronounced drought in addition.
      Wish you many happy summer days.

    • The tranquility, the stream, the coolness and fragrances from the flowers and pine needles withering on the forest floor, and emits wonderful smells of freshly made strawberry jam – though it’s not 🙂 🙂
      Thanks Mitza!!

  9. Beautiful Hanna!

    I recently did a walk along the Brecon Beacons in Wales. At the end of the hike there was a poem printed in massive writing on a barn. I have a feeling you would approve! ❤

    • Thanks for visiting, Josy. I sure would like to take a walk in beautiful Wales and at the end study the poem on the barn ❤ 🙂

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