This is for Jane Dougherty’s A Month With Yeats Challenge, Day 12.
Today’s quotation is:
“He made the world to be a grassy road
Before her wandering feet.”
–W.B. Yeats
There was a maiden with flowers in her hair
glorious she was, but with a tragic air.
Yet would the gods so decree
that beauty be the cause of tragedy?
Rather humans create such fights
with jealousy, hate, and righteous might.
“I would give you all I can,”
said the young, determined, love-struck man.
“But I would also let you go
if ever that is how you wished it so.”
With that she took him, wed him, then,
and their love was renewed again and again.
For he made the world a delightful place
and within it there, they had such space–
for her, he created grassy roads with scented flowers
and there she could wander in day or evening hours
She often said she was glad she’d wed him then
and their love was renewed again and again.
Though beauty may pass like a dream,
the rose is deeper than it seems.
Its beauty lies in not only in its shape and form,
but also in its scent that lingers and adorns.
And if wars are fought to capture bloom or bower
that is not the fault of the radiant flower.
John William Waterhouse, “Windswept” or “Wildflowers,” [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
And he knew a radiant flower when he saw one.
I guess he did. 🙂
You just raised the bar for all of us. Love this poem.
Oh, how sweet! Thank you so much. 🙂
Idyllic
Thank you.
Very romantic, and I like the message 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
🙂
everyone needs the love 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Lovely…love is so hard to write about I think. And the painting…also perfect. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe. The poem kind of cried out “Pre-Raphaelite” to me. 😉
For me, your Yeats poems often start out with a wistful tone and end with a note of wonder. This reflection and the painting today are spectacular.
Thank you so much, Marian. What a lovely compliment!
The rose is deeper in it’s layers than a flat, plain flower. It does have “more than what appears.” I liked this ending, with love being renewed again and again.
I enjoy romantic poetry and do appreciate how your writing includes unique aspects, Merril.
Thank you, Robin.
Unique aspects are good–I’m glad you think so. 🙂
Beautifully Written! Loved it.
Hey! This is my blog, a beautiful journey of two young souls.
https://rb147forever.wordpress.com