High above the clouds I fly,
seeking what I do not know.
Is it destiny that I go by,
or conflict with the German foe?
I do not fight for Britain's cause,
what has Britain done for me?
We Irish live with British laws:
no German crossed the Irish Sea.
If I should meet my fate today,
it will not be for duty's sake;
I balance risk, and come what may,
if God decides my life to take,
I'm ready now. The years ahead
hold no appeal; the years behind
are past and dead,
a phantom of the dreaming mind.
Author notes
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/7460-William-Butler-Yeats-A -Irish-Airman-Foresees-His-Death
A contest entry
- Your Favourite Poet and You... by Thom Boulton.
300 points, ended July 23, 2007, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Poetry Greats: Shakespeare-Yeats by dame de la riviere.
3700 points, ended September 11, 2008, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Imitation Is The Highest Praise by Budart.
700 points, ended May 27, 9 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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The original seems to me a pean to existential engagement in a moment. Zen like. The piece you wrote is so depressed and hopeless, fatalistic. At least thats how it struck me.
Good luck. thanks for your entry -
Nicely shared ...
and you did a nice job retelling the tale using your poetical skills with flying! joy
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Well done. You've resurrected Yeats' conflicting sentiment in the war poem through the 16 line length, the cadence and abab rhyme sequence.
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Ah, you chose a piece dear tp my heart and did a fair turn with it. Thank you for entering.
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Absolutely brilliant, Bill, really emotional.
I enjoyed reading this immensely pal, great stuff,
Alex.
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