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Analysis and comments on He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven by William Butler Yeats

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Comment 31 of 31, added on October 28th, 2009 at 3:13 AM.

This is a poem my Father recited often, it gave me goose bumps then and now many years after his passing I still feel the emotions rise - the reality in my life of his experience and now my own. It is poignant still but I am encouraged by knowing the cloths of heaven still exist to dream for.

sandra-lee Murphy from Australia
Comment 30 of 31, added on April 5th, 2009 at 10:24 AM.

Is "He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven" Yeats' translation of a poem from another language?

Wayne from United States
Comment 29 of 31, added on August 8th, 2006 at 8:43 PM.

I came across this on the Beeb's "Poetry Pod" - amazing! like a light being turned on…

Wil Davis from United States
Comment 28 of 31, added on August 4th, 2006 at 7:47 PM.

To hear Anthony Hopkins read this poem in '84 Charing Cross Road' was one of those beautiful memories in life. It's one of those times you want to put that feeling into a bottle and capture forever.

Annie from United States
Comment 27 of 31, added on June 19th, 2006 at 4:24 AM.

I first came upon this poem watching 84 charring cross road, i was blown away and have read everything by this poet since, i always get tears in my eyes and feel so emotional when i read it slowly, i noticed someone said they sang it , id love to hear it any info on how i would get hold of a copy of it to music?

muraod from Ireland
Comment 26 of 31, added on June 11th, 2006 at 11:25 PM.

I dont really believe the poem is talking about love for so than admiration. I believe that because he wants to put the clothes of heaven under another person's feet could be refering to putting them more so on a pedestal really. I mean you can love someone and you can admire someone too.
This poems is my absolute favorite but reading it could never compare to the choir piece. Sure it is the orginal but it lacks so much emphasis. You can read it fast because you're a good reader and can't wait to have that result feeling after reading a moving piece, or you can read it slow and be the one who soaks us every word but regardless hearing someone else say it can be much more fulfilling. But like I said before it lacks much emphasis over the choir piece. As a choir student, I sang this piece and its was so...amazing! In the song version (depending one the composer), the line where he talks about being poor is repeated. This repetition is used to show that we relized we are only poor and yes, we only have our dreams. The music at this point isn't has flowing as it was original, but then it continues to move when we say " I spread my dreams under your feet". It's like that us being poor won't stop us from giving our all. we continue through the song repeating the first part "had I the heavens..." skip the "poor" part and go straight to the end. Here the end is very light and sincere. we stretch the word softly and the notes fall. we end one dreams, which is stretch out the longest and it slowly fades. When hearing the piece, it gives you the imagery with the notes aswell as the words. When reading the poem over and over again, it feels to expected or just simple.

Nicole from United States
Comment 25 of 31, added on June 5th, 2006 at 4:43 AM.

i first studied this poem in school.and i feel that the issue in this poem is dissapointment for yeats because i got the feeling that yeats thought he didn't deserve the women he is talking about

Cathal Kelly from Ireland
Comment 24 of 31, added on December 27th, 2005 at 1:04 AM.

This poem is a very moving tribute to a woman, suggesting the power she has over her lover.
He has nothing to offer her but his dreams, perhaps dreams of a future together, and he asks that she respects his dreams.


Bijaya Adhikari from Nepal
Comment 23 of 31, added on December 9th, 2005 at 1:36 AM.

I read this poem today first time and felt very, very nice sounded. This poem is a reason of a wonderful love to others and a sound of beautiful heart. An imagination creates a new thing and it can approach to reality after a hard step to gain it. Imagination comes from the bottom of heart and mind then people like to make it reality in the wonderful world.
It is very nice sounded poem very short but beautiful. It is not possible to finish if we try to emphasize in words because it's mean is so long and so wide like horizon or like blue sky. The imagination of heaven, the imagination of decorated clothes and a very caring friend who can't see a agony of her feet and just he like to see her hearty welcome! So this is very beautiful poem and it touches to all human heart of the world and directs them to keep beautiful love instinct, what helps to save the world.


surendra from Nepal
Comment 22 of 31, added on December 8th, 2005 at 11:12 AM.

I, too, first heard this poem when recited by the marvelous actor, Sean Bean, in "Equilibrium". His splendid recitation gave the plea such dignity.

Gay Woods from United States

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Information about He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven

Poet: William Butler Yeats
Poem: He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven
Volume: The Wind Among The Reeds
Year: 1899
Added: Feb 20 2003
Viewed: 22577 times
Poem of the Day: Jun 2 2005


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