'Long-Legged Fly' by William Butler Yeats

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Last Poems1938-1939That civilisation may not sink,
Its great battle lost,
Quiet the dog, tether the pony
To a distant post;
Our master Caesar is in the tent
Where the maps ate spread,
His eyes fixed upon nothing,
A hand under his head.Like a long-legged fly upon the stream
His mind moves upon silence.That the topless towers be burnt
And men recall that face,
Move most gently if move you must
In this lonely place.
She thinks, part woman, three parts a child,
That nobody looks; her feet
Practise a tinker shuffle
Picked up on a street.Like a long-legged fly upon the stream
Her mind moves upon silence.That girls at puberty may find
The first Adam in their thought,
Shut the door of the Pope's chapel,
Keep those children out.
There on that scaffolding reclines
Michael Angelo.
With no more sound than the mice make
His hand moves to and fro.Like a long-leggedfly upon the stream
His mind moves upon silence.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: Long-Legged Fly by William Butler Yeats

Are you looking for poetry that is transcendent, mysterious, and thought-provoking? If so, then "Long-Legged Fly" by William Butler Yeats is the perfect poem for you. This poem is a masterful example of Yeats' poetic genius, combining vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and hauntingly beautiful language to create a work of art that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving.

Overview of Long-Legged Fly

"Long-Legged Fly" is a short poem composed of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in the form of a meditation, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of the natural world. The first stanza focuses on the image of the long-legged fly, which is described as "a water-beetle / [that] scarce knows / It is his own image / He sees in the crystal mirror." The second stanza shifts to a description of a "mackerel-crowded seascape," while the third and final stanza contemplates the image of a "glimmering girl / With apple blossom in her hair."

Analysis of Long-Legged Fly

The poem is a meditation on the nature of creativity, and the relationship between the artist and the natural world. Yeats uses the image of the long-legged fly to represent the artist, who is both a part of the natural world and yet somehow apart from it. The fly "scarce knows / It is his own image / He sees in the crystal mirror," suggesting that the artist is often unaware of the power and beauty of his own creative vision.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the natural world itself, specifically the "mackerel-crowded seascape." The use of the word "mackerel" is significant, as it suggests a sense of abundance and fertility. The sea is a symbol of the unconscious, and the mackerel symbolizes the richness and depth of the creative imagination. The image of the seascape also suggests a sense of movement and change, as if the creative process is always in motion, constantly evolving and shifting.

The final stanza returns to the image of the artist, this time embodied in the figure of the "glimmering girl / With apple blossom in her hair." This image is particularly powerful, as it combines the beauty and vitality of nature with the innocence and purity of youth. The apple blossom is a symbol of new beginnings, suggesting that the creative process is a constant cycle of growth and renewal.

Interpretation of Long-Legged Fly

At its core, "Long-Legged Fly" is a meditation on the nature of creativity and the artist's relationship to the natural world. The poem suggests that creativity is a mysterious and powerful force that is both a part of the natural world and yet somehow apart from it. The artist is both a product of nature and a creator of new worlds, constantly drawing upon the rhythms and patterns of the natural world to create something new and unique.

The image of the long-legged fly is particularly significant, as it suggests that the artist is often unaware of the power and beauty of his own creative vision. The fly "scarce knows / It is his own image / He sees in the crystal mirror," suggesting that the artist's vision is often obscured by self-doubt and uncertainty. Yet despite this, the artist continues to create, drawing upon the rich abundance of the natural world to give birth to something new and beautiful.

The seascape in the second stanza is also a powerful symbol of the creative imagination, suggesting that the creative process is always in motion, constantly evolving and shifting. The mackerel symbolizes the richness and depth of the creative imagination, while the sea itself is a symbol of the unconscious. Together, these images suggest that the creative process is a journey into the unknown, a journey that requires courage, imagination, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

Finally, the image of the "glimmering girl / With apple blossom in her hair" suggests that the creative process is a constant cycle of growth and renewal. The apple blossom is a symbol of new beginnings, suggesting that the artist's vision is always in a state of transformation, always evolving and growing. The girl herself is a symbol of youth and innocence, suggesting that the creative process is a journey into the unknown that requires a sense of wonder and openness to new experiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Long-Legged Fly" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of creativity and the artist's relationship to the natural world. Through vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and hauntingly beautiful language, Yeats creates a work of art that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, "Long-Legged Fly" is a poem that will stay with you long after you have read it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their depth, complexity, and beauty. One of his most famous poems is "Long-Legged Fly," which was first published in 1899. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it is a perfect example of Yeats' unique style and vision.

The poem is a meditation on the nature of creativity and the role of the artist in society. It is a deeply philosophical work that explores the relationship between the natural world and the human imagination. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the central image of the long-legged fly. The fly is described as "a long-legged fly upon the stream" and is portrayed as a symbol of the natural world. The fly is "idle" and "lazy," and it seems to be content with its simple existence. However, the poet sees something more in the fly. He sees a "mind" that is "moving" and "thinking" in its own way. This suggests that the poet believes that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures have a kind of consciousness that is worth exploring.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the human imagination. The poet compares the fly to the "thoughts" that "do not seek / A refuge in the silence of the night." This suggests that the poet believes that the human imagination is like the fly in that it is always active and always seeking new experiences. The poet also suggests that the imagination is like a "dancer" who is "lost in the music's mist." This suggests that the poet believes that the imagination is a kind of dance that is always moving and always changing.

The third stanza of the poem explores the relationship between the natural world and the human imagination. The poet suggests that the imagination is like a "fountain" that is "pouring out / Its waters to the thirsty air." This suggests that the poet believes that the imagination is a kind of source of inspiration that can nourish and sustain the human spirit. The poet also suggests that the imagination is like a "tree" that is "growing / Upward evermore." This suggests that the poet believes that the imagination is a kind of organic force that is always evolving and always growing.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem returns to the image of the long-legged fly. The poet suggests that the fly is like a "thought" that is "moving" and "thinking" in its own way. This suggests that the poet believes that the natural world and the human imagination are intimately connected. The poet also suggests that the fly is like a "mind" that is "content to dwell / On the beauty of its own." This suggests that the poet believes that the natural world is a kind of self-contained universe that is beautiful and meaningful in its own right.

In conclusion, "Long-Legged Fly" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the relationship between the natural world and the human imagination. The poem is a meditation on the nature of creativity and the role of the artist in society. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is a perfect example of Yeats' unique style and vision, and it is a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

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