Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WORDS, by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WORDS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I had this thought a while ago
Last Line: And been content to live.
Alternate Author Name(s): Yeats, W. B.
Variant Title(s): The Consolation
Subject(s): Language; Sympathy


I HAD this thought a while ago,
'My darling cannot understand
What I have done, or what would do
In this blind bitter land.'

And I grew weary of the sun
Until my thoughts cleared up again,
Remembering that the best I have done
Was done to make it plain;

That every year I have cried, 'At length
My darling understands it all,
Because I have come into my strength,
And words obey my call';

That had she done so who can say
What would have shaken from the sieve?
I might have thrown poor words away
And been content to live.





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