William Butler Yeats was a prominent Irish poet and playwright who is widely considered one of the greatest writers in the English language. One of his most famous poems, "When You Are Old," is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the enduring nature of love.
The poem, written in 1893, is addressed to a lover and imagines a future in which the speaker's love is no longer present in the world. The speaker tells the lover that, when they are old, they will sit down by the fire and read the poem, which will bring back memories of their youth and the love they once shared.
The poem is full of imagery and metaphor, with Yeats using the metaphor of a "white moon" to represent the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. He writes, "How many loved your moments of glad embrace, / And loved your beauty with love false or true, / But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, / And loved the grace of you, which never fades."
Through this metaphor, Yeats is emphasizing the enduring nature of true love, which remains even as the beauty and vitality of youth fades. He is telling his lover that, even when they are old and the world has moved on, the love they shared will remain a constant and comforting presence.
In the final stanza, Yeats speaks directly to the reader, urging them to take care of their own love and to appreciate it while it lasts. He writes, "Love, faithful love, recalled you to the land, / Though you have changed, your beauty is not less, / So you are beautiful, and keep a dower / Of love, however hard the world may press."
This final stanza serves as a reminder to cherish the love we have while we have it, and to recognize that it is a precious and enduring gift. Yeats's poem "When You Are Old" is a timeless reflection on the nature of love and the passage of time, and it continues to be widely read and admired to this day.
William Butler Yeats was a prominent Irish poet and playwright who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of his most famous poems is "When You Are Old," which was written in 1893 and published in the collection "The Rose" in 1893.
In "When You Are Old," Yeats addresses a woman he loves and imagines her in the future, when she is old and grey-headed. He writes about how she will sit by the fire, taking down this book and slowly turning its pages. He tells her that she will find the lines of his poem written there and that they will bring back memories of the love they once shared.
Yeats's poem is a celebration of enduring love, as he tells the woman that even though she will be old and grey, the memories of their love will still be fresh in her mind. He encourages her to remember the joy and passion they shared, and to find solace in the fact that their love will live on even after they are gone.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with Yeats using vivid imagery to describe the woman's future self and the memories that will come back to her as she reads the poem. He writes of her "tender eyes" and "heart-remembering voice," and speaks of the "turbulent" and "passionate" love they shared.
"When You Are Old" is a beautiful and moving tribute to the enduring power of love. It speaks to the idea that love can transcend time and that the memories of a passionate and fulfilling relationship can bring comfort and joy even in old age. Yeats's poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the important role it can play in our lives.