When you are Old by W.B. Yeats
The poem reflects on aging and the passage of time, urging the reader to contemplate their life in later years. It begins with an image of an elderly person, weary and reflective, sitting by the fire. The speaker encourages this individual to take a book and reminisce about their past, particularly the beauty and grace they once possessed. The poem contrasts superficial love with a deeper, more profound connection. While many admired the person's physical beauty, only one truly appreciated their inner self—the "pilgrim soul." This love transcends mere attraction, embracing the complexities and sorrows of life. As the speaker invites the reader to remember, there is a sense of melancholy regarding lost love and the inevitability of change. The imagery of love fleeing and hiding among the stars suggests a longing for something that has slipped away, emphasizing the transient nature of both beauty and love. Ultimately, the work serves as a meditation on the enduring power of true affection, urging the reader to recognize and cherish the deeper connections that define their existence, even as they face the inevitability of aging and loss.
By W.B. Yeats · First published 1933 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 146 words
First lines
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.
Similar titles
- An Old Song by Edward Thomas
- To A Sexton by William Wordsworth
- Recessional by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- It Cant Be Summer That Got Through by Emily Dickinson
- The Pasture by Robert Frost
- Memorial Verses23 by Matthew Arnold
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on love and aging, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, beauty, and nostalgia align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and the passage of time, common elements in elegiac poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem contemplates deeper themes of existence, love, and the human experience.
Tags
Poem · Irish Literature · Autobiographical · Nostalgia · Regret · Old Age · Mortality · Memory · Loss · Longing · Imagery · Symbolism
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When you are Old is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1933 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: 1933 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Philosophical Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 146 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
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- Work identity for When you are Old by W.B. Yeats
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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