Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Nature Submerged an Entire Island and Killed all the Dinosaurs

There are so many vivid descriptions of nature in this poem, one might imagine that Dorothy Wordsworth was a Neo-Pagan!! "Harmonious Powers with Nature work /On sky, earth, river, lake, and sea:/ Sunshine and storm, whirlwind and breeze/ All in one duteous task agree" (ll. 1-4). Wordsworth has personified the elements of nature, claiming that the various powers of nature are able to come together and agree on a duteous task. This opening stanza seems to allude to a worship of nature, which is later apparent throughout the rest of the poem. Another example of this is "But Nature, though we mark her not, Will take away -- may cease to give" (ll. 23-24). So much respect, awe, and wonderment is given to nature as a living being, it is clear that nature is worshipped.

The other theme that cannot be ignored is the author/narrator's devotion to beauty. This is also characteristic of Romanticism, and the colorful language and rich undertones leave the reader feeling comfortable and pleasant (At least I was- I'm pretty sure I sighed at the end. . .). Example: "Might see it, from the mossy shore Dissevered float upon the Lake, Float, with its crest of trees adorned On which the warbling birds their pastime take. Food, shelter, safety there they find There berries ripen, flowerets bloom; There insects live their lives -- and die: A peopled world it is; in size a tiny room" (ll. 9-16). To put it simply, Wordsworth is able to see and appreciate the beauty in nature all around her.

Though the narrator conveys a sense of loss at the end because the island has disappeared, I felt that the mood of the poem was not influenced by this development. "Buried beneath the glittering Lake! Its place no longer to be found, Yet the lost fragments shall remain, To fertilize some other ground" (ll.21-24). The tone and word choice suggest that this occurrence is understood, or at least accepted. The narrator is not angry, does not question it, and does is not afraid of the consequences. This of course links back to the worship of nature, where the people simply accept Nature's choice in removing the island from sight.

Overall, very beautiful poem. I'd be curious to see what would happen if Jurassic Park and the Floating Island were to combine themselves into one massive storyline. . . . That would have taken care of the world's regenerated dinosaur problem. . .