Here's a breakdown:
* W.B. Yeats: A famous Irish poet known for his mystical and romantic works. He often explored themes of dreams, love, and the supernatural.
* "Tread on my W.B. Yeats": This phrase suggests that the speaker is being careful, walking delicately, because they are afraid of disturbing something fragile or precious.
* "Softly because you tread on my dreams": The line implies that the speaker's dreams are delicate and easily shattered. They are asking for the listener to be gentle, to tread softly, so as not to crush their hopes and aspirations.
The phrase "tread on my W.B. Yeats" is a clever double entendre:
* Literally: It suggests the speaker is afraid of stepping on a physical object related to Yeats.
* Figuratively: It implies that the speaker's dreams are as delicate and important to them as the works of Yeats are to a lover of poetry.
The line is often used in a romantic or poetic context, highlighting the fragility of dreams and the importance of protecting them.