Finding Poetry By Accident

I find it a wondrous thing when I accidentally discover a "classic" poem I actually enjoy.

I recently came across a poem mentioned in an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. Yes, I have been a fan of Star Srek since the original series was broadcast in the early 70s in syndication at 6pm every weekday evening.

BTW science fiction is my favorite genre of literature. I recommend the novel Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (but I digress).

The poem referenced in the ST episode was "Song of the Wandering Aengus " by Yeats.

Of course I looked it up, and was delighted by it. It was written in plain English so that even such an uneducated soul as I could appreciate it.

The Song of Wandering Aengus
By William Butler Yeats

I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire a-flame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And someone called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.

Isn't that simply beautiful?

William Butler Yeats at The Poetry Foundation

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