15 May 2010

William B and Jack B Yeats

Sea and Lighthouse - Jack B Yeats

THE WHITE BIRDS - W B Yeats

I would that we were, my beloved, white birds on the foam of the sea!
We tire of the flame of the meteor, before it can fade and flee;
And the flame of the blue star of twilight, hung low on the rim of the sky,
Has awakened in our hearts, my beloved, a sadness that may not die.

A weariness comes from those dreamers, dew-dabbled, the lily and rose;
Ah, dream not of them, my beloved, the flame of the meteor that goes,
Or the flame of the blue star that lingers hung low in the fall of the dew:
For I would we were changed to white birds on the wandering foam: I and you!

I am haunted by numberless islands, and many a Danaan shore,
Where Time would surely forget us, and Sorrow come near us no more;
Soon far from the rose and the lily, and fret of the flames would we be,
Were we only white birds, my beloved, buoyed out on the foam of the sea!

11 comments:

Stan said...

Lovely combination, Jams, satisfying to the eyes, ears and heart on a wintry summer evening.

jams o donnell said...

Thanks Stan. I thought they would go well together

James Higham said...

And never forget - cast a cold eye on life, on death - horesman pass by!

Unknown said...

I love this particular poem and have not read it in years. Thanks, Jams!

jams o donnell said...

Indeed James, a bit of Under Ben Bulben!

Glad to be of service PS!

Claude said...

Great to discover Jack B. Yeats. Truly enjoyed looking at the gallery of his paintings. The poet is sadly enchanting...

jams o donnell said...

His work is good, eh? Glad I introduced somebody new to you

CalumCarr said...

Jams, my visits this morning keep finding poetry. Thank you for both poem and painting.

jams o donnell said...

You're welcom Calum!

Sean Jeating said...

Yea ... 't's a lovely combination!

jams o donnell said...

Glad you like it. I think these two go well together