by William Butler Yeats
Shy one, shy one,
Shy one of my heart,
She moves in the firelight
Pensively apart.
She carries in the dishes,
And lays them in a row.
To an isle in the water
With her would I go.
She carries in the candles,
And lights the curtained room,
Shy in the doorway
And shy in the gloom;
And shy as a rabbit,
Helpful and shy.
To an isle in the water
With her would I fly.`
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Since the last Yeats poem had such an enthusiastic reception, I figured we should look at another one.
ReplyDeleteThis poem, to me, is more about sound and artistry than meaning. The meaning is still there, but it is eclipsed by the music of the words. I especially like the triple "Shy one" at the beginning, and also the modified refrain at the end of stanzas two and four.
All of Yeats' poetry is about sound and artistry. As for music, Seamus Heaney, another Irish poet, has a phrase "the music of what happens." That is what poetry does. Words are crafted into sound and the music happens. If you like this poem, read (and recite aloud)"The Lake Isle at Innisfree." It's enchanting. I almost expect to see that glimmering girl float in somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI love the flow of this poem, as well as "Day is Done." I think it has to do with the fact that in each stanza, the last word of the second and fourth lines rhyme. It is just appealing to my ears. I think rhyming in general is pleasing to one's ears. However, now I think that in poetry for younger kids, the rhyming is a little excessive, but of course back when I was younger, I loved it.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this poem correctly uses rhyme to attach the narrators passion to his poetry. The sentences seemed to flow together and add upon one another, rather than the common choppy feeling given by such a rhyme shceme. Good choice Alex ;)
ReplyDelete