Yeats said, were the most important
subjects, mysteries he refused
to fear. When he reached the summit
of his powers old age desired
a mate. It was Georgie Hyde-Lees
shared her body in his bed. She
married the poet as he aged,
Maud Gonne a memory of youth.
Georgie recited in her sleep
history’s turbulent lessons.
She was a wife to perfection.
She too walked among schoolchildren
dancing until they were the dance.
When Yeats sailed to Byzantium
she was there to see the fish leap
in rivers flowing to the sea.
She heard Crazy Jane tell the bishop
why love is made near the body’s
back door. She witnessed all the wraiths
conspiring to keep him working,
his flesh bone weary yet adored.
(10 January 2012)
copyright 2012 by Floyce Alexander
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