God guard me from those thoughts men think
In the mind alone;
He that sings a lasting song
Thinks in a marrow-bone;

From all that makes a wise old man
That can be praised of all;
O what am I that I should not seem
For the song's sake a fool?

I pray -- for word is out
And prayer comes round again --
That I may seem, though I die old,
A foolish, passionate man.

Added: Feb 20 2003 | Viewed: 7411 times | Comments (0)

Poet: William Butler Yeats
Poem: A Prayer For Old Age
Volume: Parnell's Funeral and Other Poems
Year: Published/Written in 1935
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