I know it like the back of my hand, as does every other Leaving certificate secondary school student in Ireland. Incredible poem and writer. Also a huge fan of his brother's painting.
Jack B Yeats. Developed from a keen draughtsman for newspaper illustration into mythical and romantic images of Irish life and history, developed a very strong expressionist style that was not abstract but came very close at times.. look for works like: The Liffey Swim, Men of Destiny, Above the Fair.
Listening to this poem transported me back to my childhood, listening to the old men preaching at church. It’s the same cadence, and exaggerated care they used to add weight to the words.
I have quite a few of Yeats' poems committed to memory. I didn't enjoy studying his poetry in school. After that, however, when I discovered his earlier poetry, he had a huge influence on the whole trajectory of my life. I'm only just starting to try to write about that now, but it has been a 20 year influence. My favourite poem is The Song of Wandering Aengus.
This is beautiful; thank you for bringing forth this lovely, lovely poem.
It (especially that recording of his reading) reminded me how Yeats was an esotericist and that, in tenth grade, when I was in a group project to write and preform a 50-minute play about a literary period and its writers going on some kind of adventure, my group chose the Transcendentalists. Emerson and Thoreau were already picked, and I felt a little sour and spiteful, so I argued the case for why I should be allowed to be Yeats and why we should write a play about him meeting the Transcendentalists. I had no idea why that made sense to my almost-16 year-old mind, but I think I do now.
I know it like the back of my hand, as does every other Leaving certificate secondary school student in Ireland. Incredible poem and writer. Also a huge fan of his brother's painting.
I’m not familiar, but will look it up!
Jack B Yeats. Developed from a keen draughtsman for newspaper illustration into mythical and romantic images of Irish life and history, developed a very strong expressionist style that was not abstract but came very close at times.. look for works like: The Liffey Swim, Men of Destiny, Above the Fair.
I love this poem and hearing it. And as a poet who’s 60 this really makes me happy:
. There is no precedent in literary history for a poet who produces his greatest work between the ages of 50 and 75
Listening to this poem transported me back to my childhood, listening to the old men preaching at church. It’s the same cadence, and exaggerated care they used to add weight to the words.
Oh, I never read this poem before. Exquisite. That last line is the perfect example of the magic a few words can do to your heart.
I have quite a few of Yeats' poems committed to memory. I didn't enjoy studying his poetry in school. After that, however, when I discovered his earlier poetry, he had a huge influence on the whole trajectory of my life. I'm only just starting to try to write about that now, but it has been a 20 year influence. My favourite poem is The Song of Wandering Aengus.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read that, I need to go back to it…
Wasn't john wayne looking for Innisfree in Quite Man. Hope that he found it.
I don’t know the reference but thanks for being here…
Gorgeous. I know very little of Yeats, so appreciate the snippet of bio you provided and the link.
Thanks, Brian. Sorry for getting here so late. My inbox has, as ever, been a bit out of control!
You’re right on time!
This is beautiful; thank you for bringing forth this lovely, lovely poem.
It (especially that recording of his reading) reminded me how Yeats was an esotericist and that, in tenth grade, when I was in a group project to write and preform a 50-minute play about a literary period and its writers going on some kind of adventure, my group chose the Transcendentalists. Emerson and Thoreau were already picked, and I felt a little sour and spiteful, so I argued the case for why I should be allowed to be Yeats and why we should write a play about him meeting the Transcendentalists. I had no idea why that made sense to my almost-16 year-old mind, but I think I do now.
Love it!
Yes, that famous poem Thanks for the picture. He is one of my favorite of the so called modern poets.
I don't know much Yeats yet, but I really love what I've read. This will be my first to memorize of his!
One of my all time very favourite poems.
A long time favorite! Thanks so much for this!
So welcome!
Chat:
This is the point in our memorization process where we move the conversation to a Thread in the Chat
Quero ✨
A wonderful poem that I haven't read in 45 years. Terrific and inspiring to us older ones just getting started.