'To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na No' by William Butler Yeats
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COME play with me;
Why should you run
Through the shaking tree
As though I'd a gun
To strike you dead?
When all I would do
Is to scratch your head
And let you go.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na-No
Overview
"To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na-No" is a poem by William Butler Yeats, which was published in 1899 as part of his collection "The Wind Among the Reeds". The poem is a tribute to a squirrel, which Yeats observes running across a tree branch in the gardens of Kylemore Abbey in the West of Ireland. The poem is a celebration of the squirrel's freedom and agility, as well as a reflection on the limitations of human existence.
Literary Analysis
The poem consists of four stanzas, each comprising six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC. The opening lines of the first two stanzas set the scene and describe the squirrel's movements:
I shall tell you all, O Squirrel! And the first thing you must know Is when to go upon the hazel, And when to go upon the bough, And when to go upon the holly-tree, And whom to fear and whom to chase.
Yeats uses personification to create a sense of intimacy between himself and the squirrel, addressing it directly and ascribing human-like qualities to it. The use of exclamation marks in the first line also signals the speaker's excitement and enthusiasm.
In the third stanza, the poem takes a more reflective turn, with the speaker pondering the squirrel's existence in contrast to his own:
Alas! to me the lightest word Maligns that little heart, And yet I know where I should be happy, Were I only free to depart.
The use of the word "alas" signals a shift in tone and introduces a note of sadness. The speaker acknowledges that the squirrel's life is free from the responsibilities and burdens of human existence, and expresses a desire to be free himself. The use of the word "depart" suggests a desire to escape from the constraints of his own life.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker returning to the squirrel and celebrating its freedom:
And when he's in the tree-top, He goes to roam at will, And where does he find his supper? In his scarlet covert still.
The use of repetition in the final two lines (with the repeated use of "still") creates a sense of harmony and closure. The squirrel's freedom and self-sufficiency are celebrated, while the speaker's own limitations and dependence are implicitly acknowledged.
Interpretation
On one level, "To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na-No" can be read as a simple celebration of nature and the joy of observing wild animals in their natural habitat. The poem captures the excitement and wonder of a chance encounter with a squirrel, and celebrates its agility and freedom.
However, the poem can also be read as a reflection on the limitations of human existence. The speaker envies the squirrel's freedom and self-sufficiency, contrasting it with his own dependence on others and his own sense of confinement. The use of the phrase "scarlet covert" in the final line also suggests a sense of secrecy or hiding, which can be read as a metaphor for the speaker's own sense of being trapped or confined.
The poem can also be read as a reflection on the limitations of language and the human attempt to capture the essence of nature in words. Yeats is acutely aware of the limitations of language, and the poem can be read as an attempt to capture the essence of a fleeting moment of beauty and wonder. The poem is a tribute to the squirrel, but it is also an acknowledgement of the limitations of human understanding and the fragility of our attempts to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Conclusion
"To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na-No" is a short but powerful poem that captures the beauty and wonder of a chance encounter with a wild animal. The poem celebrates the squirrel's freedom and agility, while also reflecting on the limitations of human existence and the fragility of our attempts to capture the essence of nature in words. Yeats uses personification and vivid imagery to create a sense of intimacy with the squirrel, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na-No: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry
William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, wrote a beautiful poem titled "Poetry to a Squirrel at Kyle-Na-No." This poem is a masterpiece of nature poetry that captures the essence of the natural world and the beauty of the creatures that inhabit it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a squirrel, who is perched on a tree branch, and inviting him to listen to his poetry. The speaker tells the squirrel that he has come to the woods to find inspiration for his poetry and that he hopes the squirrel will be his muse. The speaker then proceeds to describe the beauty of the natural world around him, using vivid imagery and sensory language to bring the scene to life.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker addresses the squirrel in a friendly and inviting tone, saying, "Come play with me; / Why should you run / Through the shaking tree / As though I'd a gun / To strike you dead?" The speaker is trying to establish a connection with the squirrel, to show him that he means no harm and that he is there to appreciate the beauty of nature. The use of the word "play" suggests a sense of joy and lightheartedness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the beauty of the natural world around him. He says, "All live things upon / That golden floor / Are but puppets; none / Has autonomy / Such as the squirrel and the dove." The use of the word "golden" suggests a sense of warmth and radiance, which is a common motif in Yeats' poetry. The speaker is suggesting that all living things are part of a larger, interconnected system, but that some creatures, like the squirrel and the dove, have a special autonomy that sets them apart from the rest.
The third stanza is perhaps the most beautiful and evocative in the poem. The speaker describes the squirrel in detail, using sensory language to bring the scene to life. He says, "Mankind, that moth-like / Amorous drifter, / Comes no nearer; / About me here / Is no light like your eye." The use of the word "moth-like" suggests a sense of fragility and transience, while the phrase "amorous drifter" suggests a sense of wanderlust and romanticism. The speaker is contrasting the fleeting nature of human existence with the enduring beauty of the natural world, and he is suggesting that the squirrel, with its bright eyes and playful demeanor, is a symbol of that beauty.
The fourth stanza is a continuation of the third, with the speaker describing the squirrel's movements in detail. He says, "Snatch up, / Aurelian prince, / Take with thee / Jenny my thoughts / And Joe my words." The use of the phrase "Aurelian prince" suggests a sense of regalness and majesty, while the names "Jenny" and "Joe" suggest a sense of familiarity and intimacy. The speaker is suggesting that the squirrel is a noble creature, worthy of admiration and respect, and that he is entrusting his thoughts and words to the squirrel as a symbol of that admiration.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of the natural world and the role of the poet in capturing that beauty. The speaker says, "All things are taken / From us, and become / Portions and parcels / Of the dreadful past. / Let us alone." The use of the phrase "dreadful past" suggests a sense of loss and nostalgia, while the phrase "let us alone" suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance. The speaker is suggesting that the natural world is constantly changing and evolving, and that the role of the poet is to capture those fleeting moments of beauty before they are lost forever.
In conclusion, "Poetry to a Squirrel at Kyle-Na-No" is a masterpiece of nature poetry that captures the beauty and majesty of the natural world. Through vivid imagery and sensory language, Yeats brings the scene to life, inviting the reader to join him in his appreciation of the beauty around him. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of nature and the role of the poet in capturing that power for future generations.
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