The Wanderings of Oisin

Book excerpt: "The Wanderings of Oisin" is a narrative poem by W. B. Yeats that delves into themes of aging, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Drawing from Irish mythology and legend, the poem follows the ancient hero Oisin, who returns to Ireland after spending three centuries in the mythical land of Tír na nÓg with the fairy princess Niamh. As Oisin recounts his adventures and reflects on the changes that have occurred in his absence, he grapples with a sense of displacement and loss in a world vastly different from the one he knew. Through vivid descriptions and lyrical language, Yeats evokes a sense of longing for a glorious past while also exploring the inevitable dissonance between memory and reality. The poem captures the tension between the desire for eternal youth and the reality of mortality, as Oisin comes to terms with the transient nature of life and the inevitability of change. "The Wanderings of Oisin" stands as a poignant meditation on the passage of time, the complexities of memory, and the enduring power of myth and storytelling.