No, I didn’t write this, but I wish to God I had. This was written by W. B. Yeats, the great Irish poet who lived from 1865-1939. This is the poem that first got me excited about poetry in the first place, back in my teens. When I first read this poem, something came alive inside me that never died, even though it slumbered for many years. I just wanted to share this beautiful poem with everyone. I hope it moves you as much as it has always moved me.
~
The trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine and fifty swans.
The nineteenth Autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings.
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now my heart is sore.
All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore,
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,
Trod with a lighter tread.
Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold,
Companionable streams or climb the air;
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.
But now they drift on the still water
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake’s edge or pool
Delight men’s eyes, when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?
W. B. Yeats
Though I may never truly understand this, the words are truly beautiful and just.
I’m jealous of Yeats in a way I don’t completely understand, if that makes any sesnse.
~m
It’s ok, we’re all jealous of Yeats. 😉 But seriously, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yeats is my favorite poet; he has been a big influence on my own poetry.
-sps
Easy to see the inspiration in his words, and the impact on your life. Thankfully you found him and this poem. Thank you for sharing.
What a coincidence that I should read this. I just got a book on Yeats. I haven’t started it yet. This was lovely Smith.