'The Withering Of The Boughs' by William Butler Yeats
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I cried when the moon was mutmuring to the birds:
'Let peewit call and curlew cry where they will,
I long for your merry and tender and pitiful words,
For the roads are unending, and there is no place to my mind.'
The honey-pale moon lay low on the sleepy hill,
And I fell asleep upon lonely Echtge of streams.
No boughs have withered because of the wintry wind;
The boughs have withered because I have told them my, dreams.
I know of the leafy paths that the witches take
Who come with their crowns of pearl and their spindles of wool,
And their secret smile, out of the depths of the lake;
I know where a dim moon drifts, where the Danaan kind
Wind and unwind their dances when the light grows cool
On the island lawns, their feet where the pale foam gleams.
No boughs have withered because of the wintry wind;
The boughs have withered because I have told them my dreams.
I know of the sleepy country, where swans fly round
Coupled with golden chains, and sing as they fly.
A king and a queen are wandering there, and the sound
Has made them so happy and hopeless, so deaf and so blind
With wisdom, they wander till all the years have gone by;
I know, and the curlew and peewit on Echtge of streams.
No boughs have withered because of the wintry wind;
The boughs have withered because I have told them my dreams.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Withering Of The Boughs: An Analysis
The Withering Of The Boughs is a classic poem written by William Butler Yeats. It is one of his most well-known and well-loved works, and for good reason. This poem is a powerful and emotional meditation on the passage of time, the inevitability of change, and the fragility of life.
At its core, The Withering Of The Boughs is a lament for the passing of youth and the onset of old age. Yeats uses powerful imagery and evocative language to convey the sense of loss and sadness that he feels as he watches the boughs of the tree wither and die. He compares the boughs to the years of his own life, and the tree itself to the world around him.
The poem opens with a description of the tree in its prime, when its boughs were strong and full of life. This is a time of joy and abundance, a time when the tree is at the height of its power. The imagery here is rich and vivid, with Yeats using language that is both lyrical and precise to create a sense of lushness and abundance.
But this time of plenty is short-lived, and soon the boughs begin to wither and die. Here, Yeats uses a powerful metaphor to express the sense of loss and decay that he feels. The boughs represent not just the passing of time, but also the inevitability of death, and the fragility of life.
As the poem progresses, Yeats becomes increasingly introspective, reflecting on his own mortality and the passage of time. He laments the fact that he is no longer young, and that his own boughs are withering and dying just like those of the tree. This is a powerful and poignant moment in the poem, as Yeats confronts the reality of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life itself.
But despite the sense of loss and sadness that permeates the poem, there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation. Yeats seems to accept that withering and decay are simply a part of life, and that there is beauty even in the passing of time. He suggests that there is a kind of wisdom that comes with age, and that the withering of the boughs is not just a symbol of death, but also a symbol of rebirth and renewal.
Overall, The Withering Of The Boughs is a powerful and moving work of poetry. It is a testament to Yeats' skill as a writer, and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his use of language and imagery. This poem is a timeless meditation on the nature of life and death, and it speaks to us all on a deep and profound level.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Withering Of The Boughs: A Masterpiece of Symbolism
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among his many masterpieces, The Withering Of The Boughs stands out as a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of mortality, decay, and the passing of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the rich symbolism and imagery of this classic poem, and explore the deeper meanings that lie beneath its surface.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a forest in autumn, where the leaves are falling and the boughs are withering away. The imagery is striking and powerful, and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The forest is described as a place of death and decay, where the once-lush foliage is now turning brown and falling to the ground. The boughs, which were once strong and sturdy, are now weak and brittle, and are unable to support the weight of the falling leaves.
The symbolism of the withering boughs is central to the poem, and represents the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The boughs, which were once full of life and vitality, are now withering away, just as we all must eventually wither and die. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life, and the way in which all things must eventually come to an end.
As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes more and more vivid, and the symbolism more and more powerful. The leaves are described as "brown and sere", and the boughs as "brittle and bare". The forest is no longer a place of life and vitality, but a place of death and decay. The imagery is haunting and evocative, and captures the essence of the poem perfectly.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Yeats uses nature to explore the themes of mortality and decay. The forest, which is usually seen as a place of life and growth, is transformed into a place of death and decay. The leaves, which are usually seen as a symbol of life and vitality, are transformed into a symbol of death and decay. The boughs, which are usually seen as a symbol of strength and stability, are transformed into a symbol of weakness and decay.
The poem is also notable for its use of repetition, which serves to reinforce the central themes of the poem. The phrase "withering of the boughs" is repeated several times throughout the poem, and serves to remind the reader of the central theme of mortality and decay. The repetition is powerful and effective, and serves to drive home the message of the poem.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way in which Yeats uses language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The language is rich and evocative, and creates a sense of foreboding and unease. The use of words like "sere", "brittle", and "bare" creates a sense of desolation and decay, and serves to reinforce the central themes of the poem.
In conclusion, The Withering Of The Boughs is a masterpiece of symbolism, and a powerful meditation on the themes of mortality, decay, and the passing of time. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the language is rich and powerful. The poem serves as a reminder of the transience of life, and the way in which all things must eventually come to an end. It is a testament to the enduring power of Yeats' poetry, and a reminder of why he is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
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