WHEN have I last looked on
The round green eyes and the long wavering bodies
Of the dark leopards of the moon?
All the wild witches, those most noble ladies,
For all their broom-sticks and their tears,
Their angry tears, are gone.
The holy centaurs of the hills are vanished;
I have nothing but the embittered sun;
Banished heroic mother moon and vanished,
And now that I have come to fifty years
I must endure the timid sun.
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
-
Lines Written in Dejection, being one of Yeats’ post-(september 1913 and easter 1916) poems, highlights his feelings on the state of poetry of the time, or at least his relation to the art. He describes mythical and mystical beings that are no longer extant in his mind.
I have nothing but the embittered sun;
Banished heroic mother moon and vanished,
And now that I have come to fifty years
I must endure the timid sun.
The moon with the mystical herd of beings accompanying it, symbolizes the art before he had become complacent. He is now effete in his craft due to the “embittered sun,” which represents the conflict with modern poets and the tribulations from the ongoing political struggle he had dedicated himself to the past decade.
At this point in his life, Yeats wishes to be able to forget the events of 1913 and 1916, and return to a more “natural” state in which his art may become beautiful as it was years ago. -
broom sticks and tears ..LOL this is a wonderful piece. I so wish he was here so I didn't have to ask.. what did you mean .. I think I know but don't want to presume..
Is he saying goodbye to romance .. because he's fifty now .. does he feel as I do?
Adding your comment:
