In Church by W.B. Yeats (1939)
The poem presents a scene within a church where a woman engages in prayer, invoking divine presence for her loved ones and the broader community. She seeks solace and support for her parents, the sick, the grieving, and the deceased, emphasizing a collective human experience of suffering and hope. The imagery of sunlight and dancing flies creates a serene yet poignant atmosphere, contrasting the sacred act of prayer with the mundane elements of the church environment. The repetition of her prayer underscores the depth of her longing and the universality of her concerns, reflecting on themes of faith, loss, and the interconnectedness of human experiences. The work captures a moment of introspection and communal spirituality, illustrating the power of prayer as a means of seeking comfort and connection in times of distress.
By W.B. Yeats · First published 1939 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Spiritual Reflection · 147 words
First lines
She prays for father, mother dear, To Him with thunder shod, She prays for every falling tear In the holy church of God.
For all good men now fallen ill, For merry men that weep, For holiest teachers of His will, And common men that sleep.
The sunlight flickering on the pews, The sunlight in the air, The flies that dance in threes, in twos, They seem to join her prayer --
Her prayer for father, mother dear, To Him with thunder shod, A prayer for every falling tear In the holy church of God.
What this Textopian page supports
In Church is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1939 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: W.B. Yeats
- Date: 1939 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Imagery, Modernist Poetry
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering In Church?
- How does this poem by W.B. Yeats fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The poem explores themes of prayer, spirituality, and the divine, central to religious poetry.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal and emotional expression of the speaker's thoughts and feelings aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Spiritual Reflection — The poem reflects on spiritual themes and the act of prayer, emphasizing introspection and contemplation.
- Imagery — The vivid descriptions of the church setting and the natural elements create strong visual imagery.
Tags
Poetry · Symbolism · Irish Literature · Spirituality · Mystery · Faith · Doubt · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychology · Inner Life · Self-Discovery