'My Holiday' by Robert Service


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I love the cheery bustle
Of children round the house,
The tidy maids a-hustle,
The chatter of my spouse;
The laughter and the singing,
The joy on every face:
With frequent laughter ringing,
O, Home's a happy place!

Aye, Home's a bit of heaven;
I love it every day;
My line-up of eleven
Combine to make it gay;
Yet when in June they're leaving
For Sandport by the sea,
By rights I should be grieving,
But gosh! I just fell free.

I'm left with parting kisses,
The guardian of the house;
The romp, it's true, one misses,
I'm quiet as a mouse.
In carpet slippers stealing
From room to room alone
I get the strangest feeling
The place is all my own.

It seems to nestle near me,
It whispers in my ear;
My books and pictures cheer me,
Hearth never was so dear.
In peace profound I lap me,
I take no stock of time,
And from the dreams that hap me,
I make (like this) a rhyme.

Oh, I'm ashamed of saying
(And think it's mean of me),
That when the kids are staying
At Sandspot on the sea,
And I evoke them clearly
Disporting in the spray,
I love them still more dearly
Because . . . they're far away.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Holiday: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a delight it is to read Robert Service's classic poem, My Holiday! From the very first line, the poem draws us in with its charming and whimsical tone, taking us on a journey through the speaker's adventurous holiday in the mountains. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various elements of the poem, including its themes, tone, imagery, and structure, to better understand the depth and beauty of this timeless work.

Themes

At its core, My Holiday is a poem about the joy and freedom of being in nature. It celebrates the beauty and power of the mountains, and the sense of adventure and excitement that comes with exploring them. Throughout the poem, we see the speaker reveling in the physical exertion of climbing and hiking, as well as the sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching the summit. At the same time, the poem also touches on themes of solitude and introspection. As the speaker spends time alone in the mountains, he reflects on his own life and values, and finds a sense of peace and contentment in the natural world.

Tone

One of the most striking aspects of My Holiday is its tone. From the very first line, the poem is infused with a sense of lightheartedness and joy. The speaker's enthusiasm for the mountains is infectious, and we can't help but be drawn in by his sense of wonder and awe. At the same time, the poem also has a slightly mischievous and irreverent tone, as the speaker pokes fun at the more mundane aspects of civilization, such as the "fussy" waiters and the "silly rules" of society. This playful tone adds to the poem's overall sense of adventure and excitement, and helps to create a connection between the reader and the speaker.

Imagery

Another key element of My Holiday is its vivid and evocative imagery. Throughout the poem, Service uses rich, descriptive language to paint a picture of the mountains and the speaker's experiences within them. We can almost feel the sun on our faces as the speaker describes the "brilliant blue of the sky", and we can hear the crunch of the snow underfoot as he climbs higher and higher. Service also uses imagery to contrast the natural beauty of the mountains with the artificiality of civilization. For example, the speaker compares the "gleaming city" with its "hard, unlovely shapes" to the "gentle curves and lines" of the mountains. This contrast helps to emphasize the purity and simplicity of the natural world, and underscores the speaker's desire to escape from the pressures of modern life.

Structure

Finally, let's take a closer look at the structure of My Holiday. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Service to experiment with different rhythms and line lengths. This gives the poem a loose, improvisational feel, which reflects the sense of spontaneity and adventure that the speaker experiences in the mountains. At the same time, there is also a sense of structure and order to the poem, particularly in its use of repetition. For example, Service repeats the phrase "I'm glad to be alive" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's joy and gratitude for the natural world. This repetition also helps to create a sense of unity and coherence within the poem, tying together its various themes and images.

Conclusion

In conclusion, My Holiday is a masterful poem that celebrates the joy and freedom of being in nature. Through its vivid imagery, playful tone, and loose yet structured form, the poem captures the sense of adventure and excitement that comes with exploring the mountains. At the same time, it also touches on deeper themes of solitude, introspection, and the contrast between nature and civilization. As we read the poem, we are drawn into the speaker's world, and share in his sense of wonder and awe. My Holiday is a true classic of literature, and a testament to Robert Service's skill and artistry as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

My Holiday: A Poem of Adventure and Wonder

Robert Service's "My Holiday" is a classic poem that captures the essence of adventure and wonder. The poem takes us on a journey through the eyes of the speaker, who is on a holiday in the mountains. The poem is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world around us. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his journey to the mountains. He talks about the excitement he feels as he leaves the city behind and enters the wilderness. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker expresses his joy at being surrounded by nature. He says, "I'm on a holiday up in the mountains / And life is good, and all is well." This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is filled with a sense of joy and wonder at the world around him.

The second stanza of the poem describes the beauty of the mountains. The speaker talks about the "purple peaks" and the "silver streams" that flow through the valleys. He describes the "crimson sunsets" and the "golden dawns" that light up the sky. The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and awe-inspiring.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker really begins to explore the themes of the poem. He talks about the sense of freedom that he feels in the mountains, saying, "I'm free as air, I'm free as water / I'm free as fire, I'm free as earth." This line captures the essence of the poem, as the speaker is celebrating the freedom that comes with being surrounded by nature. He feels unencumbered by the constraints of society and is able to fully embrace the world around him.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to reflect on the deeper meaning of his holiday. He talks about the "mighty forces" that shape the world around us, saying, "The wind that blows, the rain that falls / The sun that shines, the snow that crawls." This line is a reminder that the world is much larger than ourselves, and that we are just a small part of the greater whole. The speaker is humbled by the power of nature and is reminded of his place in the world.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to contemplate the passage of time. He talks about the "centuries" that have passed since the mountains were formed, and the "millions" of years that it took for the world to reach its current state. This line is a reminder that our time on this earth is fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time that we have. The speaker is filled with a sense of urgency, as he realizes that his holiday will soon come to an end.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the impact that his holiday has had on him. He talks about the "memories" that he will carry with him, and the "lessons" that he has learned. This line is a reminder that our experiences shape who we are, and that we should embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. The speaker is filled with a sense of gratitude, as he realizes how lucky he is to have had this experience.

In terms of language, Service uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of wonder and awe. He uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the world around us, and he uses repetition to reinforce the themes of the poem. For example, he repeats the word "free" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the sense of freedom that comes with being surrounded by nature. He also uses alliteration and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and flow, making the poem easy to read and enjoyable to listen to.

In conclusion, "My Holiday" is a classic poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the sense of wonder that comes with being surrounded by it. The poem is a reminder that we are just a small part of the greater whole, and that we should embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. Service's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of joy and excitement, making the poem a joy to read. Whether you are on holiday in the mountains or simply taking a walk in your local park, "My Holiday" is a reminder to embrace the world around us and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day.

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