Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN IRISH AIRMAN FORESEES HIS DEATH, by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN IRISH AIRMAN FORESEES HIS DEATH, by         Recitation     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I know that I shall meet my fate
Last Line: In balance with this life, this death.
Alternate Author Name(s): Yeats, W. B.
Subject(s): Air Warfare; Aviation & Aviators; Death; Freedom; Soldiers; War; World War I; Airplanes; Air Pilots; Dead, The; Liberty; First World War


I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.





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