(Review) The Collected Poems of W. B. Yeats

Yeats
Publisher and Publication Date: Wordsworth Poetry Library. 2008.
Genre: Poetry.
Pages: 401.
Source: Self-purchase.
Audience: Poetry readers.
Rating: Excellent.

Amazon link 
Kindle copy is $1.99
Paperback $6.99

 

 

 

Links about Yeats:
Britannica
Poetry Foundation
Biography
Poets.org
Poetry Archive

William Butler Yeats was born in Ireland, 1865. He died in France, 1939.
He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923.

800px-WB_Yeats_nd

Date is unknown for this photo of W. B. Yeats

Yeats1923

Yeats in 1923

The first twelve pages (Roman numeral pages) in the introduction written by Cedric Watts is the start of this gem.
I counted 293 poems in this edition.
The poems begin on page 3 after the intro and contents pages. From page 385 until page 402 is the index.
Yeats wrote with passion about love, life itself, and Irish politics and culture. I read the word “nationalism” several times in the introduction with regards to Yeats. What does this mean? I found a couple of articles that explain: Britannica and Encyclopedia. The Irish Nationalist movement began in the 1840s to celebrate Irish heritage and language, and to promote independence.
Several poems by Yeats are favorites. My number one favorite is “The Tower” published in 1928. I’ve read it several times. Reading it aloud is the best. I’ve read this poem is a spiritual journey of sorts.

“That is no country for old men. The young
In one another’s arms, birds in the trees,
Those dying generations-at their song,”

“An aged man is but a paltry thing,
A tattered coat upon a stick, unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing”

This is beautiful! It touched my heart and I cried. “The Song of Wandering Aengus.” The poem is read by Michael Gambon.

“Easter” read by Liam Neeson.

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