The White Birds by W.B. Yeats (1917)
The poem expresses a longing for escape and transformation into white birds, symbolizing freedom and purity. The speaker yearns for a life unburdened by the transient nature of earthly desires and sorrows. The imagery of the sea and foam evokes a sense of fluidity and liberation, contrasting with the heaviness of human emotions represented by the flame of the meteor and the blue star. The speaker reflects on the weariness brought by dreams and the beauty of nature, suggesting that these ideals can lead to disillusionment. The desire to be transformed into birds signifies a wish to transcend the limitations of human existence and to find solace in a timeless, carefree state. The mention of "numberless islands" and "Danaan shore" alludes to mythological realms, reinforcing the theme of seeking an idyllic escape from reality. Ultimately, the poem encapsulates a deep yearning for a connection that transcends the mundane, where love and freedom coexist in a serene, eternal landscape, free from the pains of life. The imagery and emotional depth convey a profound sense of longing for a simpler, more harmonious existence.
By W.B. Yeats · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 226 words
First lines
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 awaked 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!
What this Textopian page supports
The White Birds is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Nature Poetry, Imagism
- Length: 226 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The White Birds by W.B. Yeats
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The White Birds?
- How does this poem by W.B. Yeats fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The White Bark by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Not So Far As The Forest by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Dragonfly by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Sky Coloured Bird by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Unknown Bird by Edward Thomas
- A Tempest by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and idealism align with Romantic literary traditions.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and symbols, such as 'white birds' and 'foam of the sea', reflects Symbolist elements.
- Nature Poetry — Nature is a central theme, with references to the sea and natural elements.
Tags
Poetry · Symbolism · Irish Literature · Nature Imagery · Mortality · Loss · Longing · Love · War · Futility · Imagery · Metaphor