Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HOUND VOICE, by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Because we love bare hills and stunted trees Alternate Author Name(s): Yeats, W. B. Subject(s): Dogs; Voices; Relationships | ||||||||
Because we love bare hills and stunted trees And were the last to choose the settled ground, Its boredom of the desk or of the spade, because So many years companioned by a hound, Our voices carry; and though slumber-bound, Some few half wake and half renew their choice, Give tongue, proclaim their hidden name -- "Hound Voice." The women that I picked spoke sweet and low And yet gave tongue. "Hound Voices' were they all. We picked each other from afar and knew What hour of terror comes to test the soul, And in that terror's name obeyed the call, And understood, what none have understood, Those images that waken in the blood. Some day we shall get up before the dawn And find our ancient hounds before the door, And wide awake know that the hunt is on; Stumbling upon the blood-dark track once more, Then stumbling to the kill beside the shore; Then cleaning out and bandaging of wounds, And chants of victory amid the encircling hounds. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AMERICAN WEDDING by ESSEX HEMPHILL PUNK HALF PANTHER by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA LET US GATHER IN A FLOURISHING WAY by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA THE DIFFERENCE by RICHARD HOWARD THE ADVANCE OF THE FATHER by FANNY HOWE SIXTEEN DEAD MEN by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |
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