A Song From The Player Queen

By William Butler Yeats

Narrative Poem
My mother dandled me and sang, “How young it is, how young!” And made a golden cradle That on a willow swung. “He went away,” my mother sang, “When I was brought to bed,” And all the while her needle pulled The gold and silver thread. She put me in the cradle, And still she sang the song. That was woven with gold and silver thread And the shoes were silver and gold, To keep me young and bright. I had a beautiful doll That was too good to be true, But soon I found out She was of golden hue. There were some words she said And she was kind to me And very careful of her shoes, But oh, how young she was, how young!
Written: 1919-01-01

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Narrative Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Date Written: 1919-01-01
Date Published: 1919-01-01
Language: English
Keywords: Childhood, Reflection, Memory, Fantasy, Youth
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher: W.B. Yeats
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
A narrative poem that captures the innocence and wonder of childhood, using the imagery of a golden cradle and a doll to explore themes of youth, memory, and the passage of time.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.