A Poem by William Butler Yeats

Last night I had a dream of holding a red leather bound book by Yeats. So I googled Yeats and found this poem which says, “Take down this book…” and so here is the poem in which it is found.

When You are Old

When you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

3 Comments

  1. What an absolutely gorgeous poem. I loved Yeats when I studied him in my youth, but seldom read poetry anymore. I love the dream nudging you to these words. Magical.

    Reply

    1. I have never been drawn to Yeats. I know Leonard Cohen admired him greatly. The poem I posted had meaning for me. I had to search through several until I found one I resonated with.

      Reply

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