i should have said, the trimming and paring down of these poems (of this group), In the Seven Woods, influenced all his later work, etc.

I think a great poem, as this one is, stands apart from the poet who wrote it, on its own 'feet', so to speak, as a thing of independent life. It is a challenge to be able to receive in reverence its gentle life force.
I think appending notes to it, interesting as that may be, can take away from the essential life of the poem. I am more interested in the product than the minutae of the poets life. Much I have against poetry is that it is based on ego worship rather than preception of the essence of what the art is. The more I read of Poetry Review and the like with its fawning over poets personalities and other minutae, rather than poetry, the less I want to be involved.

It is good to set Yeats' work in context perhaps. But that is secondary to inwardly receiving a poem such as this, which, as he himself would have said, was received from a divine being, the inspirations of whom, he prepared himself.

 

Interesting, that Yeats, as a practicing ceremonial magician held poetry as his highest aim. The highest ritual perhaps.

 

 

 

 

 

More relevant to a discussion of this poem, in my view, is its form, and how the elements of the imagination are incorporated, and the rhyme scheme and assonance etc. Which is more important for a aspirant poet. Yes, the other information is interesting, but I wouldn't call it analysing the poem.

 

If youre interested Yeats joined the Theosophists and the Rosicrucians in the 1890s, which was pretty early in his career as a poet.

 

 

 

 

it was late, and i've lately been reading Yeats - so i was a little taken aback.

 

not talking of his early intro tho' - was thinking more of his wife, the lovely George - and his poetry thereafter.

 

so fitting that his body was moved to Sligo, under Bulben - he would have loved the revision.

 

more later.

my tone too, in keeping with working late hours with programs - instead of poetry.

susan

i think i'll read more Yeats and get back to you on this.

 

i wanna find a poem of his i'd like to post.

meant to say, Ben Bulben.  eek!

grrrr  ok. back to the salt mines for me.

 

I thought this may be of interest to lovers of poetry; written by Mohamed Rupani on June 17, 1964:

 

In Gujarati:' The Old Men Admiring Themselves In The Water'
William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)

i for one would have no idea if this is actually Yeats written in Gujarati.

 

any takers?

 

susan

Hi Susan and GujaratiPoem...

I read the English version when I saw G.Poem's post on the General Board. I didn't remember Connor's post here.

 

Yes, a wonderful poem by W B Yeats.

 

No, can't read much, expect the peoples's name 'Gujarati' which is a Province also, in India, south west?

 

Thanks

"Meanders"

 

gujarati what ?? I only see english ........big question mark humongous(whatever)

the Gujarati was on the General Board - not here.

 

as far as i remember.

susan