Pilgrim Souls

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would post my favorite poem, “When You Are Old,” by William Butler Yeats. While it’s somewhat melancholy, I’ve always adored the line “But one man loved the pilgrim Soul in you.”

For my 30th birthday, Hubby and I, along with other family members, were in the Outer Banks. He surprised me on the beach with an airplane sign, part of which said “I love your pilgrim soul.” So, on that romantic note, I leave you with this poem. Happy Valentine’s Day!

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim Soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart Living