"Stray Pleasure"

 Wordsworth's poem "Stray Pleasure" reflects life and pleasures that can be found everywhere if we only stop to look and observe. Once again Wordsworth writes of the beauty found in nature which can bring happiness and pleasure to whoever shall find it. As the birds sing after a shower of rain, they are singing sounds of joy. People need to stop and listen to the joyful sounds because if they do they will find pleasure which is often unnoticed. The waves at sea fill our hearts with joy if we would only stop to look at its beauty. Life goes on around us and it's up to us to listen and see in order to find pleasure and fulfillment with what is freely given to us. 

By their floating mill,

That lies dead and still,

Beyond yon Prisoners three, 

The Miller with two Dames, on the breast of the Thames!

The platform is small, but gives room for them all;

And they're dancing merrily.

From the shore come the notes 

To meet their mill where it floats 

To their house and their mill tethered fast:

To the small wooden isle where, their work to beguile, 

They from morning to even take whatever is given;--

And many blithe day they have past.

In the sight of spires 

All alive with the fires 

Of the sun going down to his rest, 

In the broad open eye of the solitary sky

They dance,-- there are three, as jocund as free,

While they dance on the calm river's breast. 

Man and Maidens wheel,

They themselves make the real

And their music's a prey which they seize;

It plays not for them,--what matter? tis' theirs;

And if they had care, it has scattered their cares, 

While they dance, crying, "Long as ye please!"

They dance not for me,
Yet mine is their glee!
Thus pleasure is spread through the earth
In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find;
Thus a rich loving-kindness, redundantly kind,
Moves all nature to gladness and mirth.

The showers of the spring 
Rouse the birds and they sing;
If the wind do but stir for his proper delight, 
Each leaf, that and this, his neighbor will kiss;
Each wave, one and t' other, speeds after his brother: 
They are happy, for that is their right!