Words

William Butler Yeats

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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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Comments1
  • elinormarino991

    Just read "Words" by William Butler Yeats and I have to admit, I didn't like it that much. Got a bit lost with "That every year I have cried, "At length / My darling understands it all..." Can anyone explain what Yeats was trying to say here? It didn't really resonate with me. Maybe I'm missing something?