Dorothy Wordsworth

This poem was something that struck a very personal chord for me. I think she wrote this poem feeling remorseful that she could no longer do the things she loved due to her long illness. I took care of a family member for years that was mostly kept in the house, and this poem reminded me of those years. She wrote:

When shall I tread your garden path?

Or climb you sheltering hill?

When shall I wander, free as air,

And track the foaming hill?

Obviously this is something that she did when was much healthier, and was no longer able to do. She was longing for the days when she could do as she wished, go where she wanted and enjoyed the outside world.

A prisoner on my pillowed couch

Five years in feebleness I’ve lain,

Oh! Shall I e’er with vigorous step

Travel the hills again?

I find it interesting that while she basically is complaining that she is a prisoner, she make mention that he couch is pillowed, giving the impression that she is comfortable  to a certain degree. I think the reason this poem stood out to me was I found myself wondering if the family member I took care of felt regret or remorse for things they could no longer do. I know that they were comfortable in their remaining years, but it is almost sad that the things we love the most, the little things we do, are the things we miss the most.