'Sunshine' by Robert Service


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I

Flat as a drum-head stretch the haggard snows;
The mighty skies are palisades of light;
The stars are blurred; the silence grows and grows;
Vaster and vaster vaults the icy night.
Here in my sleeping-bag I cower and pray:
"Silence and night, have pity! stoop and slay."

I have not slept for many, many days.
I close my eyes with weariness -- that's all.
I still have strength to feed the drift-wood blaze,
That flickers weirdly on the icy wall.
I still have strength to pray: "God rest her soul,
Here in the awful shadow of the Pole."

There in the cabin's alcove low she lies,
Still candles gleaming at her head and feet;
All snow-drop white, ash-cold, with closed eyes,
Lips smiling, hands at rest -- O God, how sweet!
How all unutterably sweet she seems. . . .
Not dead, not dead indeed -- she dreams, she dreams.

II

"Sunshine", I called her, and she brought, I vow,
God's blessed sunshine to this life of mine.
I was a rover, of the breed who plough
Life's furrow in a far-flung, lonely line;
The wilderness my home, my fortune cast
In a wild land of dearth, barbaric, vast.

When did I see her first? Long had I lain
Groping my way to life through fevered gloom.
Sudden the cloud of darkness left my brain;
A velvet bar of sunshine pierced the room,
And in that mellow glory aureoled
She stood, she stood, all golden in its gold.

Sunshine! O miracle! the earth grew glad;
Radiant each blade of grass, each living thing.
What a huge strength, high hope, proud will I had!
All the wide world with rapture seemed to ring.
Would she but wed me? YES: then fared we forth
Into the vast, unvintageable North.

III

In Muskrat Land the conies leap,
The wavies linger in their flight;
The jewelled, snakelike rivers creep;
The sun, sad rogue, is out all night;
The great wood bison paws the sand,
In Muskrat Land, in Muskrat Land.

In Muskrat Land dim streams divide
The tundras belted by the sky.
How sweet in slim canoe to glide,
And dream, and let the world go by!
Build gay camp-fires on greening strand!
In Muskrat Land, in Muskrat Land.


IV

And so we dreamed and drifted, she and I;
And how she loved that free, unfathomed life!
There in the peach-bloom of the midnight sky,
The silence welded us, true man and wife.
Then North and North invincibly we pressed
Beyond the Circle, to the world's white crest.

And on the wind-flailed Arctic waste we stayed,
Dwelt with the Huskies by the Polar sea.
Fur had they, white fox, marten, mink to trade,
And we had food-stuff, bacon, flour and tea.
So we made snug, chummed up with all the band:
Sudden the Winter swooped on Husky Land.

V

What was that ill so sinister and dread,
Smiting the tribe with sickness to the bone?
So that we waked one morn to find them fled;
So that we stood and stared, alone, alone.
Bravely she smiled and looked into my eyes;
Laughed at their troubled, stern, foreboding pain;
Gaily she mocked the menace of the skies,
Turned to our cheery cabin once again,
Saying: "'Twill soon be over, dearest one,
The long, long night: then O the sun, the sun!"

VI

God made a heart of gold, of gold,
Shining and sweet and true;
Gave it a home of fairest mould,
Blest it, and called it -- You.

God gave the rose its grace of glow,
And the lark its radiant glee;
But, better than all, I know, I know
God gave you, Heart, to me.


VII

She was all sunshine in those dubious days;
Our cabin beaconed with defiant light;
We chattered by the friendly drift-wood blaze;
Closer and closer cowered the hag-like night.
A wolf-howl would have been a welcome sound,
And there was none in all that stricken land;
Yet with such silence, darkness, death around,
Learned we to love as few can understand.
Spirit with spirit fused, and soul with soul,
There in the sullen shadow of the Pole.

VIII

What was that haunting horror of the night?
Brave was she; buoyant, full of sunny cheer.
Why was her face so small, so strangely white?
Then did I turn from her, heart-sick with fear;
Sought in my agony the outcast snows;
Prayed in my pain to that insensate sky;
Grovelled and sobbed and cursed, and then arose:
"Sunshine! O heart of gold! to die! to die!"

IX

She died on Christmas day -- it seems so sad
That one you love should die on Christmas day.
Head-bowed I knelt by her; O God! I had
No tears to shed, no moan, no prayer to pray.
I heard her whisper: "Call me, will you, dear?
They say Death parts, but I won't go away.
I will be with you in the cabin here;
Oh I will plead with God to let me stay!
Stay till the Night is gone, till Spring is nigh,
Till sunshine comes . . . be brave . . . I'm tired . . . good-bye. . . ."

X

For weeks, for months I have not seen the sun;
The minatory dawns are leprous pale;
The felon days malinger one by one;
How like a dream Life is! how vain! how stale!
I, too, am faint; that vampire-like disease
Has fallen on me; weak and cold am I,
Hugging a tiny fire in fear I freeze:
The cabin must be cold, and so I try
To bear the frost, the frost that fights decay,
The frost that keeps her beautiful alway.

XI

She lies within an icy vault;
It glitters like a cave of salt.
All marble-pure and angel-sweet
With candles at her head and feet,
Under an ermine robe she lies.
I kiss her hands, I kiss her eyes:
"Come back, come back, O Love, I pray,
Into this house, this house of clay!
Answer my kisses soft and warm;
Nestle again within my arm.
Come! for I know that you are near;
Open your eyes and look, my dear.
Just for a moment break the mesh;
Back from the spirit leap to flesh.
Weary I wait; the night is black;
Love of my life, come back, come back!"


XII

Last night maybe I was a little mad,
For as I prayed despairful by her side,
Such a strange, antic visioning I had:
Lo! it did seem her eyes were open wide.
Surely I must have dreamed! I stared once more. . . .
No, 'twas a candle's trick, a shadow cast.
There were her lashes locking as before.
(Oh, but it filled me with a joy so vast!)
No, 'twas a freak, a fancy of the brain,
(Oh, but to-night I'll try again, again!)

XIII

It was no dream; now do I know that Love
Leapt from the starry battlements of Death;
For in my vigil as I bent above,
Calling her name with eager, burning breath,
Sudden there came a change: again I saw
The radiance of the rose-leaf stain her cheek;
Rivers of rapture thrilled in sunny thaw;
Cleft were her coral lips as if to speak;
Curved were her tender arms as if to cling;
Open the flower-like eyes of lucent blue,
Looking at me with love so pitying
That I could fancy Heaven shining through.
"Sunshine," I faltered, "stay with me, oh, stay!"
Yet ere I finished, in a moment's flight,
There in her angel purity she lay --
Ah! but I know she'll come again to-night.
Even as radiant sword leaps from the sheath
Soul from the body leaps--we call it Death.


XIV

Even as this line I write,
Do I know that she is near;
Happy am I, every night
Comes she back to bid me cheer;
Kissing her, I hold her fast;
Win her into life at last.

Did I dream that yesterday
On yon mountain ridge a glow
Soft as moonstone paled away,
Leaving less forlorn the snow?
Could it be the sun? Oh, fain
Would I see the sun again!

Oh, to see a coral dawn
Gladden to a crocus glow!
Day's a spectre dim and wan,
Dancing on the furtive snow;
Night's a cloud upon my brain:
Oh, to see the sun again!

You who find us in this place,
Have you pity in your breast;
Let us in our last embrace,
Under earth sun-hallowed rest.
Night's a claw upon my brain:
Oh, to see the sun again!

XV

The Sun! at last the Sun! I write these lines,
Here on my knees, with feeble, fumbling hand.
Look! in yon mountain cleft a radiance shines,
Gleam of a primrose -- see it thrill, expand,
Grow glorious. Dear God be praised! it streams
Into the cabin in a gush of gold.
Look! there she stands, the angel of my dreams,
All in the radiant shimmer aureoled;
First as I saw her from my bed of pain;
First as I loved her when the darkness passed.
Now do I know that Life is not in vain;
Now do I know God cares, at last, at last!
Light outlives dark, joy grief, and Love's the sum:
Heart of my heart! Sunshine! I come . . . I come. . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Sunshine is a classic poem written by Robert Service. The poem was first published in 1912 in the collection of poems called Rhymes of a Rolling Stone. The poem has been an inspiration to many, and it has become one of the most popular poems from the collection. The poem is a beautiful expression of the power of the sun, and how it can bring hope and happiness to our lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem and the themes it presents, the structure, the language, the style, and the symbolism used by the author. We will also explore the historical and cultural background of the poem and the relevance of the poem in the contemporary world.

Themes

The poem Sunshine explores a range of themes, including the power of nature, the beauty of life, the importance of hope, and the need for positivity. The poem presents the sun as a powerful force that can bring light and warmth to our lives. The author uses the metaphor of the sun to symbolize hope and positivity. The poem suggests that no matter how dark and difficult life may seem, the sun will always rise again, and with it, hope and happiness. The poem also explores the beauty of life and the importance of enjoying every moment.

Structure

The poem Sunshine has a simple structure, consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. The simplicity of the structure reflects the simplicity of the message of the poem. The poem is easy to read, and the structure helps to reinforce the message of hope and positivity.

Language

The language used in the poem is simple and easy to understand. The author uses a range of literary devices, including metaphors, similes, and alliteration, to create vivid images in the mind of the reader. The use of metaphors is particularly effective in creating a sense of the power of the sun. For example, in the first stanza, the author describes the sun as a "golden face" that "smiles" upon the earth. This creates an image of the sun as a benevolent force that is looking down on the earth with a sense of warmth and compassion.

Style

The style of the poem is informal and conversational. The author uses a simple and direct style that is easy to follow. The use of short sentences and repetition helps to reinforce the message of the poem. The author also uses a range of rhetorical devices, including rhetorical questions and exclamations, to engage the reader and create a sense of excitement and enthusiasm.

Symbolism

The poem uses a range of symbols to convey its message. The sun is the most obvious symbol in the poem, representing hope and positivity. The sun is also a symbol of life, growth, and renewal. The poem also uses the image of a flower to symbolize the beauty of life. The flower is described as "kissed with dew" and "smiling in the sun." This creates an image of a beautiful and vibrant world that is full of life and energy.

Historical and cultural background

The poem was written at a time when the world was going through a period of great change. The early 20th century was a time of rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social change. The world was also recovering from the devastation of World War I. The poem reflects the optimism and hope of the time. The author was a Canadian poet who was inspired by the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit. The poem reflects the values of the time, including a belief in the power of the individual to overcome adversity and create a better world.

Relevance in the contemporary world

The poem Sunshine is still relevant in the contemporary world. The poem is a reminder of the power of hope and positivity. In the midst of the challenges that we face today, it is important to remember that there is always a reason to hope. The poem reminds us that no matter how dark and difficult life may seem, the sun will always rise again. The poem also reminds us of the beauty of life and the importance of enjoying every moment.

Conclusion

Sunshine is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the power of the sun and the beauty of life. The poem is a reminder of the importance of hope and positivity in our lives. The poem is also a reflection of the values of the early 20th century, including a belief in the power of the individual to create a better world. The poem is still relevant in the contemporary world, reminding us of the need to remain optimistic and hopeful in the face of adversity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sunshine by Robert Service is a classic poem that captures the essence of the sun and its impact on our lives. The poem is a celebration of the sun and its ability to bring joy, warmth, and light to our world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement, "Sunshine on the mountains, sunshine on the sea, sunshine on the meadows, and sunshine on the trees." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of the sun shining on various landscapes. The repetition of the word "sunshine" emphasizes the importance of the sun and its ability to bring light and warmth to our world.

The first stanza of the poem describes the sun shining on the mountains, sea, meadows, and trees. The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world bathed in sunlight. The use of alliteration in the line "sunshine on the mountains" adds to the musicality of the poem and creates a sense of harmony and balance.

The second stanza of the poem explores the impact of the sun on our lives. The line "Sunshine on the rooftops, sunshine on the street" highlights the way in which the sun touches every aspect of our daily lives. The use of the word "rooftops" suggests a sense of protection and safety, while the word "street" implies movement and activity. Together, these words create a sense of a bustling, vibrant world that is made possible by the sun.

The third stanza of the poem takes a more introspective turn, exploring the impact of the sun on our emotions. The line "Sunshine on my shoulders, makes me happy" suggests that the sun has a direct impact on our mood and well-being. The use of the first-person perspective in this stanza creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection with the reader.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of the sun's impact on the natural world. The line "Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry" suggests that the sun has a powerful emotional impact on us, even when we are not aware of it. The use of the word "cry" creates a sense of vulnerability and emotional depth.

The final stanza of the poem is a celebration of the sun and its ability to bring joy and happiness to our lives. The line "Sunshine on the water looks so lovely" suggests that the sun has a transformative effect on the world around us, making even the most ordinary things appear beautiful and magical. The use of the word "lovely" creates a sense of wonder and awe.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of two lines. This structure creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the overall impact of the poem. The repetition of the word "sunshine" throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence, tying the different stanzas together and emphasizing the importance of the sun.

The language used in the poem is simple and accessible, making it easy for readers to connect with the themes and ideas presented. The use of vivid imagery and sensory language creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. The use of alliteration and repetition adds to the musicality of the poem, creating a sense of harmony and balance.

In conclusion, Sunshine by Robert Service is a classic poem that celebrates the sun and its impact on our lives. The poem explores the themes of light, warmth, and joy, using vivid imagery and sensory language to create a sense of intimacy and connection with the reader. The simple structure and accessible language make the poem easy to understand and appreciate, while the repetition of the word "sunshine" creates a sense of unity and coherence. Overall, Sunshine is a beautiful and uplifting poem that reminds us of the power and beauty of the natural world.

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