'The Legless Man' by Robert Service
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(The Dark Side)
My mind goes back to Fumin Wood, and how we stuck it out,
Eight days of hunger, thirst and cold, mowed down by steel and flame;
Waist-deep in mud and mad with woe, with dead men all about,
We fought like fiends and waited for relief that never came.
Eight days and nights they rolled on us in battle-frenzied mass!
"Debout les morts!" We hurled them back. By God! they did not pass.
They pinned two medals on my chest, a yellow and a brown,
And lovely ladies made me blush, such pretty words they said.
I felt a cheerful man, almost, until my eyes went down,
And there I saw the blankets -- how they sagged upon my bed.
And then again I drank the cup of sorrow to the dregs:
Oh, they can keep their medals if they give me back my legs.
I think of how I used to run and leap and kick the ball,
And ride and dance and climb the hills and frolic in the sea;
And all the thousand things that now I'll never do at all. . . .
Mon Dieu! there's nothing left in life, it often seems to me.
And as the nurses lift me up and strap me in my chair,
If they would chloroform me off I feel I wouldn't care.
Ah yes! we're "heroes all" to-day -- they point to us with pride;
To-day their hearts go out to us, the tears are in their eyes!
But wait a bit; to-morrow they will blindly look aside;
No more they'll talk of what they owe, the dues of sacrifice
(One hates to be reminded of an everlasting debt).
It's all in human nature. Ah! the world will soon forget.
My mind goes back to where I lay wound-rotted on the plain,
And ate the muddy mangold roots, and drank the drops of dew,
And dragged myself for miles and miles when every move was pain,
And over me the carrion-crows were retching as they flew.
Oh, ere I closed my eyes and stuck my rifle in the air
I wish that those who picked me up had passed and left me there.
(The Bright Side)
Oh, one gets used to everything!
I hum a merry song,
And up the street and round the square
I wheel my chair along;
For look you, how my chest is sound
And how my arms are strong!
Oh, one gets used to anything!
It's awkward at the first,
And jolting o'er the cobbles gives
A man a grievous thirst;
But of all ills that one must bear
That's surely not the worst.
For there's the cafe open wide,
And there they set me up;
And there I smoke my caporal
Above my cider cup;
And play manille a while before
I hurry home to sup.
At home the wife is waiting me
With smiles and pigeon-pie;
And little Zi-Zi claps her hands
With laughter loud and high;
And if there's cause to growl, I fail
To see the reason why.
And all the evening by the lamp
I read some tale of crime,
Or play my old accordion
With Marie keeping time,
Until we hear the hour of ten
From out the steeple chime.
Then in the morning bright and soon,
No moment do I lose;
Within my little cobbler's shop
To gain the silver sous
(Good luck one has no need of legs
To make a pair of shoes).
And every Sunday -- oh, it's then
I am the happy man;
They wheel me to the river-side,
And there with rod and can
I sit and fish and catch a dish
Of goujons for the pan.
Aye, one gets used to everything,
And doesn't seem to mind;
Maybe I'm happier than most
Of my two-legged kind;
For look you at the darkest cloud,
Lo! how it's silver-lined.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Legless Man: A Literary Masterpiece
For anyone who loves poetry, Robert Service's work is a must-read. His poems are known for their vivid imagery, rhythmic flow and the powerful emotions that they evoke. In this article, we will explore one of his most famous works, "The Legless Man".
Background
Robert Service was a British-Canadian poet and writer, born in 1874. He was known for writing about the Yukon gold rush, where he lived for a while. He is regarded as one of the most popular and influential poets of the 20th century, known for his use of everyday language and for writing about ordinary people in extraordinary situations.
"The Legless Man" was published in Service's 1916 collection of poems, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man". The poem tells the story of a man who has lost his legs in battle and is now begging for alms on the streets of an unnamed city.
The Poem
The poem starts with a vivid description of the legless man. We are told that he is "like a half-filled sack upon a stick", and that his "eyes are sunken pits". We can immediately picture the man's emaciated form, and feel the pity that he inspires.
The poem then goes on to describe the reaction of the people around him. Some are sympathetic, and give him money or food. Others are indifferent, and simply walk past him, ignoring his pleas for help. The contrast between these two reactions is stark, and highlights the theme of human cruelty that runs throughout the poem.
The poem then takes a dark turn, as the legless man himself begins to speak. He asks for alms in a bitter tone, and describes the horrors of war. He tells of how he lost his legs in battle, and how his comrades died around him. He speaks of the pain and suffering that he has endured, and of the betrayal that he feels at the hands of those who sent him to war.
The poem ends on a haunting note. The legless man asks for a penny, and then says "God help us all". The implication is clear - if even the most vulnerable among us are reduced to begging on the streets, then what hope is there for society as a whole?
Interpretation
"The Legless Man" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. It highlights the cruelty of society, and the suffering that is often caused by war. It also touches on themes of betrayal, pain, and despair.
One of the key themes of the poem is the contrast between those who are sympathetic to the legless man, and those who are indifferent. This contrast is used to highlight the cruelty of society, and the fact that we often turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. The fact that the man is legless makes him an easy target for our pity, but the poem suggests that there are many others who are suffering just as much, but who are not given the same attention.
Another important theme of the poem is war. The legless man's bitter tone and graphic descriptions of battle highlight the horrors of war, and the toll that it takes on those who fight in it. The fact that the man has lost his legs is a stark reminder of the physical and emotional scars that soldiers carry with them long after the fighting is over.
The poem also touches on themes of betrayal and despair. The legless man's description of his comrades dying around him suggests a sense of loss and abandonment. He feels betrayed by those who sent him to fight, and is left with a sense of despair at the state of the world around him.
Conclusion
"The Legless Man" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human condition. Its themes of cruelty, suffering, and despair are as relevant today as they were when the poem was written over a century ago. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language make this poem a literary masterpiece, and a must-read for anyone with an interest in poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Legless Man: A Poem of Triumph and Resilience
Robert Service's "The Legless Man" is a powerful poem that tells the story of a man who has lost his legs but refuses to let his disability define him. Instead, he embraces life with a fierce determination and a sense of humor that is both inspiring and uplifting. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this classic poem and examine how they contribute to its enduring popularity.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the legless man, who is "propped against a fragment of the wall" and "smiling with a sort of sickly grin." The imagery here is striking, as we can almost see the man's twisted body and the ruins around him. The use of the word "fragment" suggests that the man is in a war-torn area, which adds to the sense of tragedy and loss.
However, the man's smile is not one of defeat or despair. Instead, it is a "sickly grin" that hints at his resilience and determination. This is reinforced in the next stanza, where we learn that the man is "singing with his throat." Despite his disability, he is still able to express himself through music, which is a powerful symbol of the human spirit.
The poem then takes a surprising turn as the legless man begins to tell his story. He describes how he lost his legs in a battle, but instead of dwelling on the tragedy, he focuses on the positive aspects of his life. He talks about the friends he has made, the adventures he has had, and the love he has experienced. This is a powerful message about the importance of gratitude and resilience in the face of adversity.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of humor. The legless man is not afraid to make fun of himself, and his jokes are both witty and poignant. For example, he says that he is "half the man I used to be," but then adds that he is "twice the man I'll ever be." This is a clever play on words that highlights the man's strength of character and his refusal to be defined by his disability.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I'm the legless man" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of unity and identity. It also emphasizes the man's acceptance of his disability and his refusal to be ashamed of it.
The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and triumph. The legless man declares that he is "richer than a millionaire" because he has experienced the joys of life and the love of others. He also says that he is "stronger than a giant" because he has overcome his disability and refused to be defeated by it. This is a powerful message of resilience and triumph that is both inspiring and uplifting.
In conclusion, "The Legless Man" is a classic poem that celebrates the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Through vivid imagery, humor, repetition, and powerful messages, Robert Service creates a character who is both tragic and triumphant. The legless man's refusal to be defined by his disability and his ability to find joy and meaning in life despite his struggles is a message that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. This is a poem that reminds us of the power of the human spirit and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
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