Those are some of the first words that Yeats himself says in this recording of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree". His reading of this poem is haunting, mainly because you don't often get to hear a poet as widely praised at Yeats read his own piece of work. His voice is almost monotone with slight inflections which I noticed still gives the listener the ability to interpret it the way they see fit. Listening to the poem, even as slight the inflections are, it's still easier to absorb and understand the poem while reading it silently to oneself.
Listening to it a second time, he lets some words ring. The inflections are more obvious this time around and the words that stand out, make it peaceful and perfect to listen to. Poetry is art, and the purpose of art is a tool to escape reality. Closing my eyes and listening to Yeats read that poem, it was so easy to get away. However haunting his voice and his words were, they were also beautiful. Strung together with thought and a sense of understanding. I'm not surprised that he is as renowned as he is. He's an amazing poet.
Marya Wickenhauser
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