Freedom by George William Russell analysis?

Question:What does this poem really means?

WILL not follow you, my bird,
I will not follow you.
I would not breathe a word, my bird,
To bring thee here anew.

I love the free in thee, my bird,
The lure of freedom drew;
The light you fly toward, my bird,
I fly with thee unto.

And there we yet will meet, my bird,
Though far I go from you
Where in the light outpoured, my bird,
Are love and freedom too.

George William Russell

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: What does this poem really means?

WILL not follow you, my bird,
I will not follow you.
I would not breathe a word, my bird,
To bring thee here anew.

I love the free in thee, my bird,
The lure of freedom drew;
The light you fly toward, my bird,
I fly with thee unto.

And there we yet will meet, my bird,
Though far I go from you
Where in the light outpoured, my bird,
Are love and freedom too.

George William Russell

I think it's about the death of a loved one. It's talking about the freedom and the lights of Heaven where they 'yet will meet'. She has gone to Heaven but he cannot follow because he is alive. The lines about flight, seem to represent the spirit rising and heading to the Heaven and his soul or spirit is travelling with hers. All that's left behind is his body, there's nothing left of him emotionally, spiritually. Maybe.

Since I am not the author I could be wrong, but to me this poem is a beautiful love poem saying...

stanza one...He is not going to chase after his love and try to bring her back from where she is going to cage her. He will not use words to convince her to stay at home and be what he wants.

stanza two...He loves her free spirit. That is what draws him to her. He will let her fly free and shine as a rising star and go with her and support her in her efforts to be what she has been created to be.

stanza three...He is encouraging her that though he has his own career and things to do, he will always be there for her. He knows that in her happiness and success she will love him in return for letting her be who she is. His love for her will be shown in releasing her to fly.

This poem speaks clearly (to me) of the truth that one can not hold onto another if there is to be true love and freedom in a relationship. It speaks about allowing each other the freedom to be who they were created to be and do what they are gifted to do. Love given and received under these terms are the light poured out because this kind of love will brighten anyone's day.

Edit - After further research, I believe this poem is as I said or a mystical poem about the supernatural beings he believed he could see. This is from http://www.robotwisdom. com/jaj/ulysses/ae.html:

Speaking about and quoting George William Russell -
1887: feels presence of supernatural beings in hills south of Dublin

"...the heart of the hills was opened to me, and I knew there was no hill for those who were there, and they were unconscious of the ponderous mountains piled above the palaces of light, and the winds were sparkling and diamond clear, yet full of colour as an opal, as they glittered through the valley, and I knew the Golden Age was all about me, and it was we who had been blind to it but that it had never passed away from the world."

This poet was living during women's suffrage period and when you read his life's timeline, it does not appear to have anything to do with the death of a loved one. His wife died in 1932 years after this poem was first published in 1913. He had one girlfriend in 1880, but the expected marriage never occurred. This poem may be written to that situation or the mystic experience.

Hope this helps.