'Grand-Père' by Robert Service
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And so when he reached my bed
The General made a stand:
"My brave young fellow," he said,
"I would shake your hand."
So I lifted my arm, the right,
With never a hand at all;
Only a stump, a sight
Fit to appal.
"Well, well. Now that's too bad!
That's sorrowful luck," he said;
"But there! You give me, my lad,
The left instead."
So from under the blanket's rim
I raised and showed him the other,
A snag as ugly and grim
As its ugly brother.
He looked at each jagged wrist;
He looked, but he did not speak;
And then he bent down and kissed
Me on either cheek.
You wonder now I don't mind
I hadn't a hand to offer. . . .
They tell me (you know I'm blind)
'Twas Grand-Père Joffre.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Grand-Père: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
If you are a fan of poetry, you might have heard about Robert Service, the famous poet who wrote about the Klondike Gold Rush and the adventures of the people who went after it. However, if you haven't read his poem "Grand-Père," you are missing out on one of his best works.
"Grand-Père" is a poem about a grandfather who has lived a long life and is now facing death. It is a melancholic and bittersweet poem that explores the themes of life, death, and legacy. Service does an excellent job of capturing the emotions and thoughts of the old man who is the subject of the poem.
The poem opens with the lines, "He stood astride a picket fence, / Half in the shadow and half in the sun, / And, with his spade, dabbled a doodle-ee dance, / A joy in his heart till his work was done." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The grandfather is described as someone who is in the twilight of his life, but who still finds joy in the simple things like working in the garden.
The poem then goes on to describe the grandfather's life in more detail. We learn that he has lived a long and eventful life, but that he is now facing the end of it. The lines "He had lived, loved, labored, and lingered, / In sun and shower, in shine and shade, / And now, impending, his finger / Was on the ultimate button of fate" capture the sense of finality that is present in the poem.
Despite facing his own mortality, the grandfather remains optimistic and hopeful. He looks forward to the next stage of his journey, saying "I'll be glad to go . . . It's been a long, sweet, sauntering way."
The poem ends with the lines "And I thought, as I watched him, how we all / Must do the doodle-ee dance through life, / And, though Death waits to give us his call, / We needn't be scared if we've loved and strived."
These lines are a powerful reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it while we can. They also remind us that death is a natural part of life, and that we needn't be afraid of it if we have lived well.
Overall, "Grand-Père" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of life and death. Service's use of language is masterful, and he has created a character in the grandfather who is both relatable and inspiring. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do so.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Grand-Père: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Legacy
Robert Service's Grand-Père is a classic poem that tells the story of a grandfather who has lived a long and fulfilling life, and is now facing his final moments. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of love, the inevitability of death, and the enduring legacy that we leave behind.
At its core, Grand-Père is a poem about the passage of time and the cycle of life. The poem opens with the lines, "He talked of life, and death, and God / And all that's in between." These words set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the big questions of existence. The grandfather in the poem has lived a long and full life, and he is now facing the end of his journey. He speaks of his experiences, his regrets, and his hopes for the future.
One of the most striking things about Grand-Père is the way that Service captures the essence of the grandfather's character. The old man is described as "a man of granite mould," with "eyes that shone like gold." He is a man who has lived through many trials and tribulations, and has emerged stronger for it. He is a man who has loved deeply and lived fully, and who now faces death with a sense of peace and acceptance.
The poem is also a meditation on the power of love. The grandfather speaks of his wife, who has passed away, and of the love that they shared. He says, "I loved her more than words can say / And when she went away / I felt as though the sun had set / And darkness ruled the day." This is a powerful testament to the strength of their bond, and to the way that love can endure even in the face of death.
Another theme that runs through Grand-Père is the idea of legacy. The grandfather speaks of the things that he will leave behind when he is gone, including his children and grandchildren. He says, "I've left a bit of me in them / A bit of me will stay." This is a reminder that even though we may not be physically present in the world, our influence can continue to be felt through the people whose lives we have touched.
The poem is also notable for its use of imagery. Service paints a vivid picture of the grandfather's surroundings, describing the "crimson sunset" and the "purple hills." He also uses metaphor to great effect, comparing the grandfather's life to a "book of gold" that is now coming to an end.
In terms of structure, Grand-Père is a relatively simple poem. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The language is straightforward and accessible, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate.
Overall, Grand-Père is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and legacy. It is a tribute to the power of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in life. Robert Service has created a masterpiece that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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