Politics

by William Butler Yeats

In our time the destiny of man presents its meanings in political terms.

–THOMAS MANN

How can I, that girl standing there,
My attention fix
On Roman or on Russian
Or on Spanish politics,
Yet here’s a travelled man that knows
What he talks about,
And there’s a politician
That has both read and thought,
And maybe what they say is true
Of war and war’s alarms,
But O that I were young again
And held her in my arms.

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While not one of Yeats’ more complex poems, perhaps this might be considered a bittersweet obiter dictum, reminding us that turbulent times will always be navigated and old men will always dream.

Thanks to Irv O. Neil, who made me aware of this poem. Irv is someone very special. Check out his blog, find him on Twitter and buy his books.