As I grewAt secondary school, I was introduced to poetry – British poetry. At university, more poetry but then through my middle years poetry seemed a rather distant and impenetrable art form. Nonetheless, at times, the name 'Yeats' drifted into vision, especially when I began to take an interest in things Celtic. The Waterboys, led by Mike Scott, became a favourite band and when in 2011 they produced An Appointment with Mr Yeats, (fourteen Yeats poems set to Mike Scott's music) I bought the CD immediately. Here is a favourite track. If you like sweet soft Celtic rock you'll like the music. If you like story poems laced with myth and wonder, you'll like the words. The Waterboys – Song of Wandering Anegus by W. B. Yeats Live at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ Sept 28, 2013 – 8 minutes Aengus (pronounced 'Engus') is the Irish god of youth, beauty and poetry.
Like and likeI like the authenticity evident in this poem. In his youth in Connemara, Yeats fished for trout and that he did, shows. Going out at dawn when there was a morning rise to what he calls 'white moths', rings true – at least to me, because I fish. I also like the reference to old age. I live in it! Yeats seemingly had a lifetime interest in the old years. This poem was written in 1897. He was 32. Why did he look to old age then? I don't know, but in the last stanza the poet has reached old age after disappointments (through hollow lands) and hard work (through hilly lands), yet he determinedly carries on his passion for romance and loveliness until his time is done. After this re-introduction by the Waterboys I began to look further into Yeats's life and works. I'm still looking and I keep coming across the old age theme. A Prayer for Old Age
Bone feltA Prayer for Old Age, Yeats wrote towards the end of his life – 1934. He died 28 January 1939. So this poem, I think, is a prayer to remain a passionate and expressive man. He wants to sing a lasting song that comes from deep within; from the marrow bone; from the depth of his structure. Maybe 'marrow bone' is an alternative to 'heart', the more usual metaphor for feeling. Maybe Yates is looking for even more than that. Is he looking for true integration of mind and body? Yeats doesn't want to be praised for all the usual old-man wisdom stuff that comes from the brain alone. Even as he dies he wants to be known for passion in life, though that may appear foolish. I like that. Another viewEven closer to his death, Yeats wrote yet another poem about old age; at least one from the perspective of old age, reflecting on the happenings in a long life.
When I first read this I laughed, but I gather that laughter is not the usual reader reaction. I just found the opening illustrations of wasted life, with their comic rhyme, very funny. However, I realise that overall this old age view of life is a bit sour – pessimistic. But I like the poem and once again, intriguingly, it has trout fishing authenticity. A good fly fisherman does cast the fly delicately, especially on small streams, using the wrist for control. Heavy shoulder heaves are considered bad. Old AgeI shall continue to read Yeats. The Poems, as listed below contains a plentiful, rich harvest to sample. But Yeats's continued concern about old age, I don't share. Nor, sitting in old age myself, do I look back on lives of those I've known, as a list of good starts but poor conclusions making me despondent or 'mad' – a cranky old man. I think, old age, while probably physically limited, (and maybe painful) is a gift; a freedom from many responsibilities; an opportunity to explore the world anew with mind and soul and spirit. □ John McInnes Friday 27 November 2020 Reference link: please click the red text The Waterboys website: An appointment with Mr Yeats – on site scroll down 'Releases' Publication details of W. B. Yeats The Poems: Everyman's Library,:J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 See pages 76, 332 & 370. ISBN 1 85715-103-8 ##########
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