The Little Review, August 1917 (Vol. 4, No. 4)

The collection opens with seven poems that drift between tender melancholy and vivid, almost theatrical scenes. Yeats paints a dying lady’s laughter and red‑haired silhouettes with a mixture of reverence and wry humor, while later verses turn toys, festivals and childhood play into symbols of fleeting grace. The language twists between classical allusion and modern slang, inviting listeners to linger on each unexpected image and feel the pulse of an era caught between tradition and rebellion.

Following the verses, a concise essay by Ezra Pound offers a reflective glance at John Butler Yeats’s correspondence, highlighting the poet’s humanism and his resistance to contemporary literary fashions. Pound’s commentary situates the poems within a broader cultural conversation, shedding light on the magazine’s role in championing experimental voices. Together, the poetry and criticism create a vivid snapshot of early twentieth‑century modernism, perfect for anyone curious about the restless creativity that defined the period.