Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
Aedh Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven by William Butler Yeats • 382 poems by William Butler YeatsEdit
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W.B.Yeats, poet and playwrite, was born in Dublin Ireland on 13th June 1865, but moved to Chiswick London in 1867 due to his fathers career as a lawyer and did not return to Ireland until 1881, where he studied at the Metropolitan School of Art, it was here that he met fellow poet George Russell who shared his interest in mysticism.
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By William Butler Yeats, © 1898, All rights reserved.
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Editor notes
Aedh was a Celtic God of Death, one of the children of Lir.
Yeats seems to have used this character in some of his stories along with Ahearne and Michael Robartes and describes him as fire reflected in water.
This is my favorite. I love it most of all!
This is my favourite poem of all time. I have the last two lines of this tattooed around my arm.
- From The National Library of Ireland's website (http://www.nli.ie/yeats/main.html)
Aedh was one of four characters who began to appear in poems written after 1896, others being Red Hanrahan, Michael Robartes and Mongan.. These characters were 'shadowy projections of his personality.' Aedh, a god of death in Irish mythology, represented various qualities for Yeats. He wrote 'Aedh is the myrrh and frankincense that the imagination offers continually before all it loves'. The Aedh poems were written for Maud Gonne.
This poem was first collected in The Wind Among the Reeds, which is primarily a collection of love poems, published in 1899. My heart fluttered when I heard someone read me the last three lines.
for guest Ann Maliwanag
100 people can read the same poem and give 100 different descriptions of what it may mean to them. No one is wrong or right, just being true to themselves. Each opinion is as worthwhile as the next.
Thank you for visiting Oldpoetry today
Von - Oldpoetry Research TeamThis Poem
From guest Ann Maliwanag (contact)
I've seen this poem when part of it was quoted in the book i was reading which is Brida by Paulo Coelho, at that time I was captured by his words, so I searched the poem in the net. Upon reading the whole poem, regardless of the title, I thought the speaker of the poem is like a father/mother, at least that is for me. Because most parents wants to give the best for their child even to the extent of leaving their dreams to do other things or to go to some other places/countries with jobs they don't really want but will be able to sustain their families. Just my OPINION.Sung Version
From guest John Washburn (contact)
There are some musical versions of this poem. Byrn Terfel recorded two of them in 2005 on his "Silent Noon" CD. I prefer the first version by Dilys Elwyn-Edwards. Terfel gives a huanting performance of this short, but beautiful poem.Awesome
From guest S. Doany (contact)
Whether 'Death' or 'he' is intended by Aedh makes little difference to the splendid, powerful images arising in the reader's mind by Yeat's skillful use of words in this poem. The further multi-possibilities of interpretations of content makes the poem awesome enough to proclaim the genius of the poet..- From guest saki (contact)
you know,i came across this poem in a rather peculiar manner.....when a friend got the last three lines tattooed! then,i just though it was about how the poor have only their dreams to offer to the world and nothing more....they can only hope that it'll be enough. reading the whole thing though (and the other comments),it seems about the love of a man and this poem is absolutely beautiful(: For guest Junior certificate student
I take the opening line to be a reference to the sky, or rather to the various patterns that can appear in it depending on the warp and weft of the sun and moon (Gold and silver light). Just as cloth is patterned by the warp and weft of the cotton or wool etc.
Jim- From guest Junior certificate student (contact)
what does the "heavens embroidered cloths" in the first stanze line one mean?
My interpretation
From guest tiago sampaio (contact)
I seem to agree with most on the meaning of the poem, but the last two phrases are to me, a warning to his love, saying he gave everything for her, and she can easily and completely crush him without even noticing, such is her power over him and his devotion to her. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.- From guest Bernardus (contact)
Such splendid beauty. This poem reached my heart & soul with love and pain. (Believe it or not, but I first heard it by chance in Bellykissangel.) Wonder if the term Aedh indeed is a kind of play with the Celtic God and/or Man? Cloth means I hope a kind of heavenly dress? Could it be a veil as well? Cause it was translated that way. I'm Dutch. My feeling when reading this
From guest Tim (contact)
I got the impression that he was talking about a parent, giving all for their children, even their most valuable and personal posessions... Dreams (referring to ambitions). It started talking about the finest material things that one might give a child if they could, and ended with one giving the most personl, and valuable thing they had to a child, in the sacrificing of their dreams for their children to tread on. That was the first thing that grabbed me. But after reflection it does seem more and more like a story of love and fragility.Wonderin?
From guest Ashley (contact)
Hey I was wondering when this poem was written?
MOD MESSAGE
Had you bothered to look at the top of the page it would have told you, 1899!Poem
From guest G.M.Richardson (contact)
i have looked for this poem for ages. It just feels like he is describing Life, Death, Hope and Despair. It is wonderful. His poetry is amazing. i wish i culd have met him because he could help me on mine. Rest in peace my friend.Aedh
From guest Nachtuil (NightOwl) (contact)
Aedh or Aed was the son of Aodh and Lir. Like Aodh was the fire god or Sungod (All father), so was Aed (Aedh) a god of the sun and the fire. Aedh is also a part of The Dagda. (Tuatha Dé Danann) www.denachtuil.euBest of all
From guest Leo (contact)
One of the most beautiful love poems, which shows very well what feels a man fell in love with a woman...- From guest Krompira to S. (contact)
"Aedh" or "he" refers to every man that ever loved and gives the poem universal meaning. "Heavens' embroidered cloths" symbolises universe and everything in it, "golden" the sun, "and silver light" the moon, "The blue and the dim and the dark cloths" the sky in all it's colours and glory, "Of night and light and the half-light" the time - past, present, and future, also nights, days and it's alternations. He rhymes by repeating the words: cloths, lights, under your feet, my dreams. Using reiteration ( pogodi gde sam ovo pokupila ) he emphasizes the contrast of what he would give if it were in his power and what he had already given, because her grandeur and divinity are only comparable with heavens'. She deserves all than one has to offer, and slightly fears that it might not be enough ( "tread softly because you tread on my dreams ) . "I have spread my dreams under your feet" he says, so this is not just an empty promise leaving her to wait for fulfilment, it's a confession ( stressed with his humble statement "But I, being poor" ) after which a man remains completely vulnerable. Therefore in his dreams ( dreams = himself ), he hopes that she will accept his love that he had spread before her. "Aedh WISHES For The Cloths Of Heaven" because only then he would be certain. Only if he could give her the whole world she would without a doubt be his love. Last and the most important, since the women who had sent me this breathtaking poem was actually a virtual stranger I think she's just hitting on me. :) lol Oh, and the poem has nothing to do with god what so ever Yeats' 'Cloths Of Heaven'
Seeming simplicity belies wonderful imagery! Extended metaphor of celestial 'cloth', magically transformed into the humble 'dreams' is wonderful. Love the quiet imperative in last line which seems to be a plea due to the adverb 'softly' and the hushed sibilance; a lovely classic indeed!- Betty - thank you very much for the link. I watched the video there too which was fascinating.
Von
Oldpoetry Original Manuscript
From guest Betty (contact)
Original MS of this written by Yeats on a postcard on display at the National Library. Click here- I have always liked this poem. It's dreamlike and fantastic for that reason. Being Irish, not being biased, I have always been drawn to this man's poetry. He could be dark yet witty, or sad but funny at the same time. He wrote from the heart and this poem epitomises love for me, through his words. A classic masterpiece. I will carry this with me in my heart until my dying day.
Shauna D. Wonderful
He is obviously talking about the colours of the skies and wants to give all that beauty to someone but its in his dreams so he give his all.I can also see this in a different way, the colours being spiritual and not physical so something like a prayer.- lol... didnt mean to offend...
real poetry comes from such poets... lost in a world of syllables, words and dreams... - That seems a rather sweeping and unjustified criticism of 'poets in general'. Most of them (us?) live in the all too real world.
They (we?) might like to live in a dream world but reality keeps intruding.
Jim - typical descriptions of poets in general... especially the romantic ones... dwelling in a world of dreams...
and his tender request ... to tread softly, otherwise he might wake up to his real world... - I tend to think only of lines 7 and 8 in this poem by Yeats. Friends over the years have told me about wonderful ideas they have had. Often I have thought to myself "load of rubbish" but then I have remembered this poem and I have encouraged the person's dreams and the pleasure has been mine to see the hope in their eyes that their dreams might come true.
- The work Aedh in the poem cloths of heaven is gaelic for the word he The poem is really He Wishes For The Cloths of Heaven.
- This is my favorite Yeats piece. It was read by Anthony Hopkins in a movie, 89 Chering Cross Road When you hear it read .. it has so much more depth. The Aedh is gaelic for He. I use this poem to shield myself .. asking people to please not tread on my dreams. I wish I could have met this man .
- You heard this poem first on "Equilibrium"...lol so did i, i loved it so much that i immedeatly had to look it up, i also loved how the actor read it, i liked the movie too, lol
~kar - This is my most favorite poem in the whole world, but it has one word that always nags at me, in the last line when I say it in my head I always want to change "because" to "for", I guess my brain just thinks for is a more poetic word. Will must have had his reasons, and it puzzles me to this day, lol.... but I still can't get enough of this poem, I have it memorized. So now I am looking for more of his poems that reach me at this deep level.
~kar
Edited on Aug 31, 8:34 p.m. because ''. - I first heard this poem recited in a movie called "Equilibrium" and I fell in love with it. Yes I agree, a poem of betrayel...
- it's perfect...so melancholy, modest...its beautiful..
but beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and we dnt see things as they are we see them as we are...so...i guess tht leaves me with no opinion? - So, so moving.....
- EXTREMELY AND ABSOLUTELY SUPERBE !
- this is a poem written of such deep emotion toward one loves but unattainable that it's not only endearing, it's heart-wrenching. i etched this into a pot i once made in a ceramics class because i found it so beautiful. i gave it to the man that is now my husband when i felt i had nothing left to offer him. it made him cry when he read it, and now it's made me cry all over again thinking about that moment. he told me that even if i had nothing at all, i would still have me, and that was enough. it was at that moment i told him i woudl marry him, and he could have all i had to offer for the rest of our lives. we've been married for over a year now and i feel this poem had something to do with it. it's one of the most beautiful pieces i've ever read, and i love it very dearly.
there is nothing more beautiful than love this pure. when one wishes for more to give so they could have another forever, the love runs very deep and true. no one should ask of another for more than that. - The feelings this envokes in me are ones of deep hope. Laying before someone my desires, my deepest feelings and thoughts, to cushion their steps. It also shows trust. Being able to perform a task of such weight and magnitude is a thing no strong man or woman could easily do, nonetheless a weak one. Anxiety comes with these words as well, nervousness at the outcome of the exposure.
The meaning of this is a simple and beautiful one. These are my emotions, my fears and hopes, what I strive for everyday. Do not take them lightly. Rather, cradle and nurture them, as they may one day blossom. To break one's dreams is to break the in turn.
The structure of this poem is simple, but it does not need to be complicated to convey it's point. The rhythm of it is very mellow and flowing, and makes it easy to imagine it being spoken in your mind. The wording is perfect, I don't think any more justice could have been given to this thought than Yeats has in this. It's a magnificent write, in every aspect.
Overall, this is one of the best pieces I have ever read. Actually the only one I felt obliged to add to my favorites so far. Its message iswonderful and pure, undiluted by politics or biases, lacking hate and despair. It's excellent, and I greatly enjoyed reading it. - The ultimate poem of betrayal. An incredibly moving piece.
- batgaz
Aedh Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven, is the title it was given when first published in The Wind Among the Reeds, Later Aedh was replaced with He.
Adeh is the Irish form of Hugh, and also means fire, his origins are from Irish mythology.
Andrew - I love this poem. One of my favourites. Never seen it with the title 'Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' before though. Anyone know who 'Aedh' is or is it just a typo?
- I have never read this one before and it really is quite amazing. There is such a tentativeness about it. Going forth, taking the chance, knowing all you dream could be crushed...yet laying them down and hoping that "someone" will tread lightly.
UB - i love thios poem. i first heard it in chorus, a song we had to learn for it. it's been a fave ever since.
beautiful!
I first read it in a book of New Zealand poetry,years ago, I just can't forget it...- Beautiful and melancholic. Few words convey such depths of emotion.
krishna - im in tears, it's so beautiful. it's somthing you'd say to the one you love
- Surely the most magical use of words... only 8 lines convey such depth of sorrow and desire - only an Irishman could have crafted this...
