William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)

Only read 18 selected poems (via TWEM). Many of Yeats' poems were about nature, history, and old age.

My favorite was The Lake of Isle of Innisfree, and this was my little review:

Oh, I just love this poem, though I do not know the Lake Isle of Innisfree...(it is in Ireland, and must be beautiful).

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

What wonderful imagery, especially standing on the roadway or some grey pavement. Yeats can imagine this peaceful place deep in his heart. It reminds me so much of Walden and his cabin in Concord, MA. Who doesn't want peace in his life? Who doesn't find it in nature and alone with nature.

I love his declaration in the middle of the roadway, "I will go now!" Maybe he means to escape NOW or maybe he means he will disappear into his imagination NOW.

He knows exactly what he will have when he gets there: a fence, nine rows of beans, and a hive for the honey bees. It will be just him and the bees.

It's a beautiful, peaceful poem. I give it an A plus!… (mer)