Among the Clouds

I came across another poem by WB Yeats recently - and thought I'd share it on the blog site.

WB Yeats also wrote the poem - Sailing to Byzantium - which I posted on 25th October 2011.

Both poems are rather dark and full of melancholy - but he does have a very halting turn of phrase - don't you think?

I must read some of WB Yeats's other work - perhaps over the holidays if I get the chance.

An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

I know that I shall meet my fate

Somewhere among the clouds above;

Those that I fight I do not hate,

Those that I guard I do not love;

My country is Kiltartan Cross,

My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,

No likely end could bring them loss

Or leave them happier than before.

Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,

Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,

A lonely impulse of delight

Drove to this tumult in the clouds;

I balanced all, brought all to mind,

The years to come seemed waste of breath,

A waste of breath the years behind

In balance with this life, this death.