Daffodils (Especially for Graham)

On Seeing the First Daffodils in Sainsbury's

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once, in Sainsbury's, lo!
Bunches of golden daffodils!
Behind the meat, beyond the peas,
(Not fluttering, there was no breeze.)

When often on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
I often dream of daffodils
(I very rarely dream of food).
The first bright sign spring's on the way -
I have to buy some now! Today!

Out go the sausages and bread
The cleaning products, oh, so dull.
I must buy daffodils instead
Until my shopping trolley's full.
I only came in for my lunch,
But daffodils! A pound a bunch!

And oh, my heart with pleasure fills
And dances, as I reach the tills.


(With apologies to Wordsworth, but I know he'd understand.)

On the pleasure of buying daffodils in December

I wandered lonely as a cloud
(In Sainsburys, quite hard to do),
When all at once, not quite a crowd,
But little sprays came into view.
Between the cheeses and the tills,
Bunches of early daffodils.

When often on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
I dream of spring. The time when I
Can shop for flowers as well as food.
But now, my heart with pleasure thrills -
A pound a bunch, for daffodils!