The Healing Journey

April 7, 2025

“Have I been so beguiled as to be blind to my most grievous loss!”
— William Wordsworth

The great English Romantic poet William Wordsworth was haunted by grief in his life. His mother Anne died when the boy was 8 years old, and he was sent away to grammar school. Shortly after, his father died and all the children went to live with two uncles who didn’t welcome their young relatives. By 1810, when he was established as a poet, his daughter Catherine died at 3 and six months later his son Thomas died at 6. He wrote a sonnet at this time inspired by his loss, which critics believe was directed to his deceased daughter. The sonnet is titled, “Surprised by Joy,” a phrase the Christian author C.S. Lewis borrowed as the title of his autobiography.

In the poem, Wordsworth reflects on the pain that a memory can bring. The poet, who was born 255 years ago today, writes about a very personal experience, probing joy and pain and explains that he was surprised to feel joy even during his intense grief. The poem was meant to comfort all those suffering from loss. The “Thee” he refers to is “buried deep in the silent tomb and cannot share his joy and he acknowledges his pain, “knowing my heart’s best treasure was no more.”

Hear Dr. Octavia Cox read “Surprised by Joy,” https://youtu.be/zkxAnlREu0A?si=axPK_P7Hi3oGNHmE

Surprised by Joy

By William Wordsworth

Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport—Oh! with whom
But Thee, long buried in the silent Tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind—
But how could I forget thee?—Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss!—That thought’s return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart’s best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.

***