Thursday, 1 December 2011

poetry: - Terra Ultima, Ultimus dies -



WHEN YOU ARE OLD
by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;



How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled

And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.


"When You Are Old" from The Rose
W.B. Yeats. 1893.

2 comments:

  1. NANCY CAMPBELL24 December 2011 at 20:25

    This is one of the first poems I learnt, and still remains one of my favourites. It's lovely to find it here in the context of northern mountains and the coldest stars. Thank you!

    Nancy

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  2. Mário R. Gonçalves25 December 2011 at 18:52

    Face hidden amid a crowd of stars, yes, that´s my preferred story ending, what a powerful beautiful image.

    Still enjoying your visit here, Nancy, I wish you a very,very good New Year.

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