The world is too much with us

Remember that this famous sonnet was written in 1806.  Think about what Monsieur Coyle spoke about yesterday in terms of the historical context of the time and thoughts that were heavy on the minds of European artists like Wordsworth.  It seems, according to Wordsworth, that man's relation to nature at this time is off kilter.  Please comment on the historical context of this poem: to what is Wordsworth referring? What is wrong? Next, consider what is applicable to us today: how/why would it behoove us to take a look at ourselves, our lifestyle choices, our relation to nature?  Is the turn of this century anything like the turn of Wordsworth century?

Ah, Spring!

Welcome back to campus and the blustery spring of New England.  Last week was warm and invigorating; folks were out and about tidying up lawns, readying planting beds, soaking up the early sun of the season. Yesterday turned cold, wet, and fierce. Spring in New England is a known unknown, and by that I mean that we are aware that each day may bring something completely unexpected (joyously wonderful or simply to be endured).  This is much like poetry for many.

Please share your thoughts and experience with poetry thus far in your life. Does it make you raise your face to its sunny warmth or make you want to hunker down to Hemingway's mantra, il faut d'abord durer"? Perhaps somewhere in between? 
Which poets do you know and appreciate? Who are the favorite poets of your parents, grandparents?  What are you thinking as we enter into a time together with British Romantic and Victorian Era poets?