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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"In a Copy of Yeats' Poems" by William Meredith reflects on the pursuit of knowledge and the interpretive challenges faced by readers of poetry. The poem seems to grapple with the precision and specificity required to truly understand the works of W.B. Yeats, while also acknowledging the ethereal and sometimes elusive nature of poetic meaning. The poem begins with the phrase "Accurate knowledge was prerequisite," emphasizing the necessity of a thorough understanding when approaching poetry, particularly the works of a poet like Yeats. This statement suggests that an informed background is essential for grasping the deeper layers of meaning in Yeats' poetry. Meredith references "the Coole swans at fifty-nine," alluding to Yeats' famous poem "The Wild Swans at Coole," which indeed describes fifty-nine swans. This specific detail underscores the idea that accurate knowledge—such as knowing the exact number of swans—is a critical component of appreciating the nuances in Yeats' work. Similarly, the line "Knew by sight the mackerels' teeming habit" might refer to another detail from Yeats' poetry, indicating that a familiarity with natural imagery and recurring motifs is part of understanding his verse. The poet acknowledges Yeats' engagement with complex ideas by noting that he "tried to learn whole curved philosophies." This line captures the breadth and depth of Yeats' intellectual pursuits, as he often explored intricate philosophical and mystical concepts in his writing. The use of "curved" suggests that these philosophies are not straightforward but rather nuanced and multifaceted, much like Yeats' poetry itself. The poem concludes with an evocative image: "Now sidewise like a dusty stroke of sun / His figures and the figures' meaning stream." This metaphor beautifully illustrates the fleeting and elusive quality of understanding poetry. The "dusty stroke of sun" suggests something faint and delicate, akin to the way light can catch dust in the air, making it briefly visible. Similarly, the "figures and the figures' meaning" in Yeats' poetry stream "sidewise," implying that they are not directly accessible or easily grasped. Instead, they require a careful and oblique approach to be perceived and appreciated. Overall, "In a Copy of Yeats' Poems" by William Meredith captures the intricate dance between knowledge and interpretation in the realm of poetry. The poem suggests that while factual knowledge and attention to detail are crucial for understanding a poet like Yeats, the true essence and meaning of his work may still remain somewhat elusive, streaming "sidewise" in a way that demands both intellectual and emotional engagement.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS by WENDELL BERRY REALITY AND WILLIE YEATS by JOHN CIARDI WHAT THE BONES KNOW by CAROLYN KIZER TO WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS ON TAGORE by MARIANNE MOORE LOOKING BACK AT YEATS by ELEANOR WILNER TO BE CARVED ON A STONE AT THOOR BALLYLEE (2) by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS BLUES FOR BYZANTIUM by CLAYTON ESHLEMAN IN MEMORY OF W.B. YEATS by WYSTAN HUGH AUDEN INSTRUCTIONS TO A MEDIUM, TO BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SHADE OF W.B. YEATS by DANIEL GERARD HOFFMAN THE CIRCUS ANIMALS' DESERTION by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |
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