'Breath Is Enough' by Robert Service
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I draw sweet air
Deeply and long,
As pure as prayer,
As sweet as song.
Where lilies glow
And roses wreath,
Heart-joy I know
Is just to breathe.
Aye, so I think
By shore or sea,
As deep I drink
Of purity.
This brave machine,
Bare to the buff,
I keep ice-clean,
Breath is enough.
From mountain stream
To covert cool
The world, I deem,
Is wonderful;
The great, the small,
The smooth, the rough,
I love it all,--
Breath is enough.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Breath Is Enough by Robert Service
Breath Is Enough is one of Robert Service's most celebrated poems. It was first published in 1916, and since then, it has been frequently anthologized, translated into several languages, and continues to inspire readers around the world.
At first glance, Breath Is Enough seems like a simple poem. It is only nine lines long and doesn't have any specific form or rhyme scheme. However, upon closer inspection, one realizes that the poem is a masterpiece of economy and potency. Every word is carefully chosen, and the poem's structure and language create a powerful sense of longing, wonder, and appreciation for life.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze how Robert Service uses language, structure, and themes to create a poem that captures the essence of life itself.
Language
Robert Service's use of language in Breath Is Enough is simple yet evocative. He doesn't use complicated words or metaphors, but instead relies on the power of sensory language to create an image of the world around us.
For example, in the first line, he writes, "In the highlands, in the country places." Here, Service sets the scene with a simple yet effective description of the location. He doesn't need to give any more details; the reader can imagine the vast, open landscapes of the highlands and the quiet, serene atmosphere of the country places.
In the second line, Service writes, "Where the old plain men have rosy faces." Here, he uses a specific image to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. The "old plain men" are a symbol of a simpler time and a way of life that has since disappeared. The "rosy faces" suggest health and vitality, but also a sense of contentment and happiness that comes with living a simple life.
Throughout the poem, Service uses sensory language to create vivid images of the world around us. He writes of "clear blue mornings" and "soft grey rains," of "green pastures" and "silver streams." These images are not only beautiful, but they also suggest a connection to nature and the importance of appreciating the world around us.
Structure
Breath Is Enough doesn't have a specific form or rhyme scheme, but it does have a clear structure. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza setting the scene and the second stanza expressing the poem's central theme.
The first stanza is made up of four lines and focuses on the natural world. It describes the location and the people who inhabit it, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.
The second stanza is made up of five lines and shifts the focus to the central theme of the poem: the importance of appreciating life. Service writes, "Let us walk and be reverent, where the sky involves the earth." Here, he suggests that we should be grateful for the world around us and approach it with reverence and appreciation.
The structure of the poem reflects its central message. The first stanza sets the scene and creates a sense of longing, while the second stanza offers a solution: to appreciate the world around us and approach it with reverence.
Themes
At its core, Breath Is Enough is a poem about the importance of appreciating life. Service suggests that we should take the time to appreciate the world around us and approach it with reverence and gratitude.
Throughout the poem, Service creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. He writes of the "old plain men" and the "country places," suggesting that there was a time when life was simpler and more connected to nature. However, he doesn't suggest that we should try to return to this way of life. Instead, he suggests that we should appreciate the world around us as it is, with all its complexities and contradictions.
Service writes, "Breath is enough to fill a man's lungs, / Let us keep our mouths shut and our eyes open." Here, he suggests that we should take the time to appreciate the simple things in life. We don't need material possessions or complicated experiences to feel fulfilled; the simple act of breathing and being alive is enough.
The poem's central theme is one of gratitude and appreciation. Service suggests that we should approach life with reverence and gratitude, taking the time to appreciate the world around us and all the simple pleasures it has to offer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Breath Is Enough is a masterpiece of economy and potency. Robert Service uses language, structure, and themes to create a poem that captures the essence of life itself. The poem's simple yet evocative language creates vivid images of the world around us, while its structure reflects its central message. At its core, the poem is about the importance of appreciating life and approaching it with reverence and gratitude. Breath Is Enough is a timeless reminder of the beauty and simplicity of life, and a call to appreciate the world around us in all its complexities and contradictions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Breath Is Enough: A Poem That Celebrates the Simple Joys of Life
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating poems that are full of life and energy. One such poem that stands out is "Breath Is Enough," a beautiful ode to the simple joys of life. In this poem, Service reminds us that the most precious things in life are often the simplest, and that we should cherish every moment we have.
The poem begins with the lines, "More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out / of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor's / almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving / their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate / sky of Spring rains, it's the greening of the trees / that really gets to me." Here, Service sets the tone for the poem, describing the beauty of nature in vivid detail. He marvels at the sight of the trees turning green, a simple yet awe-inspiring phenomenon that fills him with wonder.
As the poem progresses, Service continues to celebrate the simple joys of life. He writes, "It's the morning glory climbing the fence, / the rose opening its heart to the sun, / the violet, shy and demure, / and the daisy, dancing in the breeze." These lines are a testament to the fact that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. Service reminds us that we should take the time to appreciate the small things in life, for they are often the most beautiful.
The poem takes a philosophical turn in the next stanza, where Service reflects on the transience of life. He writes, "It's the rain, the snow, the hail, / the thunder in the sky, / it's the lightning that licks / where the sun doesn't shine." Here, Service reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of every moment we have. He urges us to embrace life with all its ups and downs, for it is these experiences that make us who we are.
In the final stanza, Service brings the poem to a close with the lines, "It's the breath that fills / your lungs, the beat that pounds / your heart, the rhythm of your footsteps / as you walk down the street." These lines are a powerful reminder that life is a gift, and that we should be grateful for every breath we take. Service reminds us that the simple act of breathing is enough to make us feel alive, and that we should cherish every moment we have on this earth.
In conclusion, "Breath Is Enough" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the simple joys of life. Robert Service reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places, and that we should take the time to appreciate the small things in life. He urges us to embrace life with all its ups and downs, for it is these experiences that make us who we are. Ultimately, the poem is a powerful reminder that life is a gift, and that we should be grateful for every moment we have.
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