Remembrance by W.B. Yeats (1914)
The poem explores themes of memory, longing, and the passage of time. The speaker reflects on a past relationship, evoking a sense of nostalgia and emotional depth. The imagery of nature, such as flowers, dew, and the night sky, serves to enhance the feelings of beauty and melancholy associated with remembrance. The speaker's thoughts are intertwined with the physical world, suggesting that memories are both personal and universal. The "grave-eyed hours" and "honey-hearted leisure" indicate a contrast between the fleeting nature of time and the enduring impact of love. The mention of a "wistful spirit of a star" symbolizes hope and the transcendence of emotions, even amidst loneliness and regret. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the duality of joy and sorrow inherent in memories. The act of remembering becomes a means of connection, bridging the gap between past and present. The imagery of silence and revelry suggests that even in solitude, there is a celebration of what once was. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the complexity of human emotions tied to memory, illustrating how the past continues to shape the present. The speaker's journey through recollection reveals a deep yearning for what has been lost, while also acknowledging the beauty that remains in those memories.
By W.B. Yeats · First published 1914 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 159 words
First lines
Remembering thee, I search out these faint flowers Of rhyme; remembering thee, this crescent night While o'er the buds and o'er the grass-blades, bright And clinging with the dew of odorous showers, With purple sandals sweep the grave-eyed hours --
Remembering thee, I muse, while fades in flight The honey-hearted leisure of the light, And hanging o'er the hush of willow bowers, Of ceaseless loneliness and high regret Sings the young wistful spirit of a star Enfolden in the shadows of the East, And silence holding revelry and feast; Just now my soul rose up and touched it, far In space, made equal with a sigh, we met.
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Remembrance is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Elegy, Modernism
- Length: 159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, memory, and emotional depth align with Romantic ideals.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and symbols to convey deeper meanings is prevalent in the text.
- Elegy — The themes of remembrance and loss suggest an elegiac quality.
Tags
Poetry · Symbolism · Irish Literature · 20th Century · Philosophy · Mortality · Memory · Loss · Grief · Love · Nature · Imagery