It's taken me on a lovely rabbit trail too. I love catalpa trees, they're my favorite. So I had to know where Yeats' catalpa was. And I was curious too about who he is addressing in the poem. I found myself at Coole Park, learning about Lady Gregory's love of trees. I even found a photo of her sitting beneath her catalpa. And a mention that her granddaughters planted a new one when this one died.
And now I return to reread the poem again and see these two friends walking and sitting, talking about poetry, writing together.
Thank you for the poem and the impetus to take a journey.
I'm glad you discovered something new, Melanie! Yeats and Lady Gregory's friendship was indeed beautiful. Two great, extremely talented and intelligent people creating together and finding inspiration in one another.
What a beautiful poem.
It's taken me on a lovely rabbit trail too. I love catalpa trees, they're my favorite. So I had to know where Yeats' catalpa was. And I was curious too about who he is addressing in the poem. I found myself at Coole Park, learning about Lady Gregory's love of trees. I even found a photo of her sitting beneath her catalpa. And a mention that her granddaughters planted a new one when this one died.
And now I return to reread the poem again and see these two friends walking and sitting, talking about poetry, writing together.
Thank you for the poem and the impetus to take a journey.
I'm glad you discovered something new, Melanie! Yeats and Lady Gregory's friendship was indeed beautiful. Two great, extremely talented and intelligent people creating together and finding inspiration in one another.
One of my absolute favourites. Every poem is pure beauty.