Poet's Corner

"An Irish Airman Foresees His Death"

William Butler Yeats

Poem explanation

1    I know that I shall meet my fate



     Somewhere among the clouds above;



     Those that I fight I do not hate,



     Those that I guard I do not love;



5    My country is Kiltartan Cross,



     My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,



     No likely end could bring them loss



     Or leave them happier than before.



     Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,



10   Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,



     A lonely impulse of delight



     Drove to this tumult in the clouds;



     I balanced all, brought all to mind,



     The years to come seemed waste of breath,



15   A waste of breath the years behind



     In balance with this life, this death.

Source: Exploring Poetry, Gale, 1997.