The poem "When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats is a love poem addressed to a woman the poet loved in his youth. The speaker asks the woman to imagine herself when she is old, gray, and full of sleep, sitting by the fire and taking down a book of poems (memories) to read slowly. As she reads, she will remember her youthful beauty, the many who admired her, and the soft looks of her eyes. However, while many admired her physical beauty, the speaker loved her soul—the inner self that was on a quest for true love. The poem contrasts superficial love based on external beauty with a deeper, enduring love for the "pilgrim soul." The speaker hopes that when the woman is old, she will feel a little sad remembering his steadfast and unique love, which she did not appreciate in her youth. The poem is both a reflection on youth, aging, love, and loss, and a reminder to the young woman not to ignore true love while she is still young. Key ideas:
- The poem is written as a direct address to the beloved.
- It uses a future time frame where the beloved is old and reflective.
- It contrasts physical beauty admired by many with the speaker's love for her inner self.
- It expresses unrequited love and regret.
- It uses imagery of aging, memories, and the changing face with the passage of time.
This summary and notes capture the essence and analysis of the poem "When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats.
