Brown Penny - A poem by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats - Brown Penny

I whispered, 'I am too young,'
And then, 'I am old enough';
Wherefore I threw a penny
To find out if I might love.
'Go and love, go and love, young man,
If the lady be young and fair.'
Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,
I am looped in the loops of her hair.

O love is the crooked thing,
There is nobody wise enough
To find out all that is in it,
For he would be thinking of love
Till the stars had run away
And the shadows eaten the moon.
Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,
One cannot begin it too soon.

Added: on January 8th, 2007 at 4:52 PM | Viewed: 52818 times | Comments (41)

Brown Penny - Comments and Information
Poet: William Butler Yeats Poem: Brown Penny Volume: The Green Helmet and Other Poems Year: Published/Written in 1910 Comment 41 of 41, added on March 11th, 2007 at 12:35 PM. I first heard of this poem from OLTL. I found a copy of the poem being recited on Thorsten Kaye's website, and love listening to it. It is so beautiful and deep. I have not seen Must Love Dogs, but now I will. I am curious to hear how it was said in that movie. I love this poem! Pri from United States Comment 40 of 41, added on March 6th, 2007 at 11:36 AM. I saw the movie, "Must Love Dogs," quite some time ago and have not forgotten the recitation of the poem. I had never known this poem, and I have thought about it many times since the movie. The poem, being about what it is to find love, just has a comforting feel to it for myself, and even tho I know from experience, that love evolves, and it isn't always pretty, but this poem still enables me to tap into those feelings of finding love in the beginning of a relationship. The feelings of, "finding love," is nothing short of intoxicating, and so I laugh now because I suppose it is only proper that the end of love feels much like a hangover. The poem is comforting, and even makes me feel a bit giddy and not many writings can actually make you remember feelings that are short-lived, but wonderful. Deb from United States Comment 39 of 41, added on January 8th, 2007 at 4:52 PM. After watching MLD several times I went to the bookstore to find the "original" Brown Penny. Yes it slightly different than the movie's recital, but it is excellent. Does the brown represent the value of love - what is that guy thinking? One tosses a coin for, amoung other things, luck, and makes a wish. Brown penny is its color, but it is symbolic, as love can be. Jim Crawford from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Brown Penny, has received 41 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by William Butler Yeats with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Brown Penny Volume: The Green Helmet and Other Poems Year: Published/Written in 1910 Last read: 2008-05-16 22:12:32 Viewed 52818 times. Added on January 8th, 2007 at 4:52 PM.

Yeats Info
Biography More Poems (363 poems) Books