Analysis of a poem

Analysis of a Poem When You are Old, by William Butler Yeats, represents and elderly woman reminiscing of her younger days. A past lover whispers to her as she looks through a photo album. Basically, Yeats is showing that as the woman gets older, she is alone, but she does not have to be lonely. She will always have her memories for companionship. “When you are old and grey and full of sleep, and nodding …

…life peacefully. I personally love this poem. It leaves me with a feeling of contentment, just thinking that someone with a little age, and all alone can look back upon her life and keep smiling until it is her time to be united with her soul-mate. Usually when we consider the elderly, it is in a depressing state, this poem actually gives a refreshing, uplifting view of the latter years of one woman’s life.