LETTER: Yeats’ poem still rings true a century later
02 November 2021 - 17:43
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
I have noticed an increased use in the media recently of two phrases from WB Yeats’ poemThe Second Coming to describe the state of government in SA today. The phrases used are “Things fall apart”and “The centre cannot hold”.
Yeats wrote his poem in 1920. It is worth quoting the first verse, which contains these two phrases and, I believe, provides a more nuanced description of our politics today.
Turning and turning in the widening gyre; The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.
David Milne
Benoni North
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Send your letter by email to letters@businesslive.co.za. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Yeats’ poem still rings true a century later
I have noticed an increased use in the media recently of two phrases from WB Yeats’ poem The Second Coming to describe the state of government in SA today. The phrases used are “Things fall apart” and “The centre cannot hold”.
Yeats wrote his poem in 1920. It is worth quoting the first verse, which contains these two phrases and, I believe, provides a more nuanced description of our politics today.
Turning and turning in the widening gyre;
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
David Milne
Benoni North
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Send your letter by email to letters@businesslive.co.za. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
CHRIS THURMAN: If you have to unleash Yeats on Africa, use the dance quote
BOOK REVIEW: Train trip sets scene for turning reality on its head
eThekwini could do with a DA government, says Steenhuisen
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
POLITICAL WEEK AHEAD: Local poll results, Magashule back in court, while all ...
AYABONGA CAWE: Ballot gives us time to reflect on co-operative governance
Hammanskraal residents are voting for clean water
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.