Dublinesque
Dublinesque - meaning Summary
Public Grief, Private Tenderness
The poem briefly sketches a Dublin street scene where a funeral procession moves through dim, misty sidestreets. The hearse is followed unexpectedly by a group of streetwalkers in conspicuous, old-fashioned dress. The speaker notices a mingled mood: genial, almost celebratory gestures toward the departed, alongside a deeper sadness when a song invoking "Kitty" or "Katy" suggests a remembered ideal of love and beauty now gone.
Read Complete AnalysesDown stucco sidestreets, Where light is pewter And afternoon mist Brings lights on in shops Above race-guides and rosaries, A funeral passes. The hearse is ahead, But after there follows A troop of streetwalkers In wide flowered hats, Leg-of-mutton sleeves, And ankle-length dresses. There is an air of great friendliness, As if they were honouring One they were fond of; Some caper a few steps, Skirts held skilfully (Someone claps time), And of great sadness also. As they wend away A voice is heard singing Of Kitty, or Katy, As if the name meant once All love, all beauty.
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