Analysis of a Poem When You are Old, by William Butler Yeats, represents and elderly woman reminiscing of her younger days. A past lover whispers to her as she looks through a photo album. Basically, Yeats is showing that as the woman gets older, she is alone, but she does not have to be lonely. She will always have her memories for companionship. “When you are old and grey and full of sleep, and nodding by the fire” (l.1-2) depicts the woman in her age, needing to nap more frequently. He speaks of a book (l.2) and the “soft look” of her eyes (l.3-4). This book signifies a photo album that contains pictures of her as