The Wild Swans at Coole

More about the book

Set against the backdrop of Coole Park, this lyric poem captures the poignant reflections of William Butler Yeats during a time of personal melancholy and the impact of war. Written while staying with Lady Gregory, it is dedicated to her son, Major Robert Gregory, who died in World War I. The poem explores themes of loss, aging, and the beauty of nature, illustrating Yeats's emotional state as he contemplates the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life.