The Wild Old Wicked Man (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

The Wild Old Wicked Man

By William Butler Yeats

Because I am mad about women

I am mad about the hills,’

Said that wild old wicked man

Who travels where God wills.

‘Not to die on the straw at home.

Those hands to close these eyes,

That is all I ask, my dear,

From the old man in the skies.

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

‘Kind are all your words, my dear,

Do not the rest withhold.

Who can know the year, my dear,

When an old man’s blood grows cold? ’

I have what no young man can have

Because he loves too much.

Words I have that can pierce the heart,

But what can he do but touch?’

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

Then Said she to that wild old man,

His stout stick under his hand,

‘Love to give or to withhold

Is not at my command.

I gave it all to an older man:

That old man in the skies.

Hands that are busy with His beads

Can never close those eyes.’

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

‘Go your ways, O go your ways,

I choose another mark,

Girls down on the seashore

Who understand the dark;

Bawdy talk for the fishermen;

A dance for the fisher-lads;

When dark hangs upon the water

They turn down their beds.

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

‘A young man in the dark am I,

But a wild old man in the light,

That can make a cat laugh, or

Can touch by mother wit

Things hid in their marrow-bones

From time long passed away,

Hid from all those warty lads

That by their bodies lay.

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

‘All men live in suffering,

I know as few can know,

Whether they take the upper road

Or stay content on the low,

Rower bent in his row-boat

Or weaver bent at his loom,

Horseman erect upon horseback

Or child hid in the womb.

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

‘That some stream of lightning

From the old man in the skies

Can burn out that suffering

No right-taught man denies.

But a coarse old man am I,

I choose the second-best,

I forget it all awhile

Upon a woman’s breast.’

                Daybreak and a candle-end.

Poem Analysis:

William Butler Yeats' poem, "The Wild Old Wicked Man," delves into the complex emotions and desires of an aging man reflecting on his life, his loves, and his impending mortality. Through poignant verses, the poem addresses themes of love, aging, the pursuit of pleasure, and the enduring human need for connection and fulfillment. In this analysis, we will explore the layers of meaning within this enigmatic poem.

The Complex Nature of Love: The poem begins with the speaker declaring his madness for women and his passion for the hills, suggesting an unapologetic love for both the sensual and the natural world. This juxtaposition highlights the dual nature of love in the speaker's life – one that encompasses both human connection and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the world. The speaker's desire to die surrounded by women's hands, a final act of love, underscores the importance of this emotion in his life.

The Inevitability of Aging: As the poem progresses, the speaker acknowledges his own aging and impending mortality. He desires to close his eyes not in his own bed of straw but by the hands of women, symbolizing his wish for a comforting and gentle passing. This reflection on the passage of time and the recognition of mortality are common themes in Yeats' work and underscore the poem's poignant tone.

The Complexity of Human Relationships: The poem introduces a significant theme when the speaker reveals that he has given all his love to an older man in the skies, presumably referring to God. This suggests that the speaker has dedicated his love and devotion to a higher power rather than pursuing human relationships. The woman's response highlights the limitations of human agency when it comes to matters of love, emphasizing that love given to God cannot be taken back.

The Pursuit of Pleasure and Human Experience: The poem's final stanzas evoke a sense of hedonism and the pursuit of pleasure. The speaker, though young in the dark, claims to possess the wisdom and experience to make people laugh and touch their innermost emotions. This aspect of the poem addresses the idea that age does not necessarily equate to wisdom or the ability to provide happiness and fulfillment.

The Universal Experience of Suffering: The poem's closing stanza offers a philosophical reflection on the universal experience of suffering. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of suffering in human life, whether one takes the high road or the low road. This existential contemplation suggests that the pursuit of pleasure and love is a way to momentarily escape the pain and challenges of existence.

"The Wild Old Wicked Man" by W.B. Yeats is a rich and contemplative poem that delves into the complexities of love, aging, and the human experience. Through its evocative verses, the poem invites readers to reflect on the multifaceted nature of human relationships, the passage of time, and the pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment. Ultimately, the poem serves as a poignant meditation on the enduring human need for connection, love, and meaning in the face of mortality. Yeats' exploration of these themes resonates with readers of all ages, making this poem a timeless and thought-provoking work.