We tire of the flame of the meteor, before it can fade and flee;
And the flame of the blue star of twilight, hung low on the rim of the sky,
Has awaked in our hearts, my beloved, a sadness that may not die.
A weariness comes from those dreamers, dew-dabbled, the lily and rose;
Ah, dream not of them, my beloved, the flame of the meteor that goes,
Or the flame of the blue star that lingers hung low in the fall of the dew:
For I would we were changed to white birds on the wandering foam: I and you!
I am haunted by numberless islands, and many a Danaan shore,
Where Time would surely forget us, and Sorrow come near us no more;
Soon far from the rose and the lily and fret of the flames would we be,
Were we only white birds, my beloved, buoyed out on the foam of the sea!
Poem Analysis:
William Butler Yeats, a master of poetic imagery and symbolism, explores themes of longing, transience, and the desire for escape in his evocative poem "The White Birds." Through rich language and vivid imagery, Yeats crafts a haunting portrayal of two lovers yearning to transcend the constraints of earthly existence and find solace in the freedom of the natural world.
The poem opens with a fervent wish expressed by the speaker to be transformed into white birds "on the foam of the sea" alongside their beloved. This imagery of flight and the boundless expanse of the ocean symbolize a longing for liberation from the earthly realm and the transient nature of human life. The speaker's desire to escape the ephemeral "flame of the meteor" and the fleeting "blue star of twilight" reflects a yearning for permanence and transcendence beyond the temporal world.
Yeats employs contrasting imagery to underscore the speaker's sense of disillusionment with the world of mortals. The "dreamers, dew-dabbled, the lily and rose" represent the fleeting beauty of earthly existence, which ultimately fades and withers away. The speaker urges their beloved not to dwell on these transient pleasures but instead to embrace the idea of transformation into white birds, a symbol of purity, freedom, and timeless existence.
The haunting refrain "I would we were changed to white birds on the wandering foam: I and you!" echoes throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's fervent desire for escape and unity with their beloved. This longing for transformation into birds resonates with the theme of metamorphosis often found in mythological tales, where humans seek to transcend their mortal limitations and attain a higher state of being.
Moreover, the mention of "numberless islands" and "Danaan shore" invokes a sense of mythical landscapes and distant realms beyond the confines of time and space. These references add depth to the speaker's longing for escape, suggesting a yearning to leave behind the constraints of human existence and find refuge in timeless, otherworldly realms where sorrow and time hold no sway.
In conclusion, "The White Birds" by W.B. Yeats is a poignant exploration of human longing, transience, and the desire for escape from the constraints of earthly existence. Through rich imagery and haunting language, Yeats invites readers to contemplate the universal yearning for freedom, transcendence, and unity with the eternal forces of nature. The poem serves as a timeless reminder of the human spirit's enduring quest for meaning and transcendence in the face of life's fleeting beauty and impermanence.
