The Heart of the Woman
By William Butler Yeats
O what to me the little room
That was brimmed up with prayer and rest;
He bade me out into the gloom,
And my breast lies upon his breast.
O what to me my mother’s care,
The house where I was safe and warm;
The shadowy blossom of my hair
Will hide us from the bitter storm.
O hiding hair and dewy eyes,
I am no more with life and death,
My heart upon his warm heart lies,
My breath is mixed into his breath.
That was brimmed up with prayer and rest;
He bade me out into the gloom,
And my breast lies upon his breast.
O what to me my mother’s care,
The house where I was safe and warm;
The shadowy blossom of my hair
Will hide us from the bitter storm.
O hiding hair and dewy eyes,
I am no more with life and death,
My heart upon his warm heart lies,
My breath is mixed into his breath.
Poem Analysis:
William Butler Yeats' poem "The Heart of the Woman" delves into themes of love, intimacy, and the blending of individual identities within a romantic relationship. Through its concise yet evocative language, the poem explores the profound emotional and physical connection between two lovers, as well as the transformative power of romantic love. Let's delve deeper into the poem's themes, imagery, and underlying messages.
Intimacy and Connection
The poem opens with a contrast between the "little room" that symbolizes safety and comfort, and the "gloom" outside that represents the unknown and perhaps the challenges of the outside world. This juxtaposition sets the stage for the intimate and transformative experience described in the subsequent lines. The speaker recounts how they were urged out of the familiar confines of the little room into the darkness, where their "breast lies upon his breast." This physical closeness symbolizes a deep emotional connection and a merging of identities, suggesting that the speaker finds solace and fulfillment in the embrace of their beloved.
Maternal Love and Protection
Yeats then shifts the focus to the speaker's maternal relationship, evoking imagery of the speaker's mother providing care and warmth in the safety of their home. The "shadowy blossom" of the speaker's hair symbolizes both the protective embrace of maternal love and the fleeting nature of childhood innocence. Despite the comfort and security provided by the mother, the speaker ultimately finds refuge and belonging in the arms of their beloved, whose warmth and affection shield them from life's hardships.
Blending of Identities
In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the profound union between themselves and their beloved. The imagery of "hiding hair and dewy eyes" suggests a merging of individual identities, where distinctions between self and other blur in the intensity of their connection. The speaker declares, "I am no more with life and death," implying a transcendence of earthly concerns and a sense of unity with their beloved that transcends mortality. The merging of hearts and breaths symbolizes the complete fusion of two souls into one, highlighting the transformative power of romantic love to dissolve boundaries and unite individuals on a deeper spiritual level.
"The Heart of the Woman" by William Butler Yeats is a deeply intimate and evocative exploration of love, intimacy, and the merging of individual identities within a romantic relationship. Through its vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem captures the transformative power of romantic love to provide solace, protection, and a sense of belonging amidst life's uncertainties. Yeats' exploration of these themes resonates with readers, inviting them to contemplate the profound emotional and spiritual connections that define human relationships and enrich the human experience.