Yeats' poetry was to incite the weak
With hope for better times on Eire's shore.
His melodies and poems, the very core
Of patriotic longing in the meek.
To quote him on his dreams of Innishfree,
He said he heard it "in the deep earth's core".
No matter where he lived, or went before,
In Ireland, is where Yeats so longed to be.
His epitaph on granite boldly smote,
The words,"Cast a cold eye on life, on death.
Horseman: pass by", he bade them with last breath,
When he was old and grey and full of sleep.
Author notes
"When you are old and grey" is one of the poems Yeats wrote and is a favourite of mine. He also wrote of "the lake isle of Innishfree" and his dream of building a little cottage there. He felt the land calling to him no matter where he was.
I wrote this piece in the style of one of his poems, in 3 stanzas, using the abba rhyming rythm he used.
I included the epitath he wrote for himself in the last stanza and finished with a slight variation on the lines that started the poem I loved so much.
Written June 8th, 2004
A contest entry
- A Tribute. (W.B.Yeats) by Old Poetry.
300 points, ended June 26, 2004, 4 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
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A good strong tribute, you show your admiration for the great poet well in this piece.
Very nicely done.
Andrew -
A wonderful tribute to a very talented man. A piece of him left in every piece he wrote. The pain and heartache, the loss, the yearning a well written piece
take care
sanity
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Nice summarization of Yeats. I've been reading some of his selected poems for the first time and am amazed and awed by his topic variations, his word flow, his mastery of so many poetic forms, and his spirit injection in every piece. Truly a master of the written word. Your poem is well received here.
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I have never read any of Yeats poetry but after your poem I just might. Thank you
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Well-written wisdom
This is a splendid tribute to a splendid poet - and you succeeded in painting an image of his style. One of my favourite Yeats poems is:
"for he comes the human child
to the waters and the wild
with a faery hand in hand
from a world more full of weeping than he can understand"
Thanks for sharing this tribute with us - good luck in the contest! -
The poem started so well, pullin me in. It ended beautifuly, makinf me smile. Beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing
Have a nice day
+ScReWY+
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Good
I enjoyed the flow with the wordings. Well written -
i have not read yates for 25 years and you reminded me of how i love his work and i love this of yours too a lovely tribute xx
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I especially enjoyed the enjambment of the quote, combined with the echoes of "old and gray and full of sleep". Very nicely done. An excellent tribute.
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I could not leave without applaudding this masterpiece. This one is for you.
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Excellent. your poem is really amazing. I like it a lot. You are true and talented. People like you keep me on regard. I do not want to slip for one second because your poems will top mine; therefore, I have to hold on and keep competing. Your writing is lovely. You are an excellent poet. You have a tremendous day and God bless you too. By the way, if you like this work, I hope you get to read Help me grow and again happy sweet 21. I honestly think you might just like it. Thank you again for sharing your poem. It worths my time. Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to read more of your work...Peace and love. May God always be with you and guide you throughout life.
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Excellent poem. Yeats is great stuff. I like The Wild Swans at Coole - Unwearied still, lover by lover, they paddle in the cold companiable streams or climb the air, Thier thoughts have not grown cold, Passion or conquest, wandre where they will, Attend upon them still
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excellent//I stand in amwazement and awe of your talent...freda
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Thank you for promoting my poem.
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Glad you liked it Bills2. He is one of my favourite old poets.
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Thank you passionvine. You are very kind.
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A Grand Poem Indeed
Some people read scripture for solace. I read Yeats! You've written a lovely tribute and have been inventive in using his style. I love the poems he wrote for Maud Gonne and you have cited one of my favorites here. -
Delightful
Hi Gingerandhoney:
A lovely tribute it is. I have not had the privilege of reading any of his work, but it sounds delightful. I must try to get the time to look up some of his work. Thanks you for sharing this piece of Yeats with us. Bill -
Thank you for commenting TheCheshireKat, I really appreciate it. ( Love the little heart by the way).
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thoughtful, intelligent, and well-written.
lovely! thumbs up.
♥
-Kat -
I think if I had chosen one of his poems that had endless stanzas in it I might have been able to do him justice, but I felt limited in just 3. ( I was looking for one that suited the iambic in the lines I had quoted). Thank you for your kind comments Peacelink. It means a lot.
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love that last line, very well written ginger I really liked it. that was good using his epitaph in the last stanza, I think you captured soem of his spirit in this
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Thank you Buchan for taking the time to comment so favourably on my poem.
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excellent
Excellent words , great respect a true poet.
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1 - 24 of 24
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