'The Little Piou-Piou' by Robert Service
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(The French "Tommy").
Oh, some of us lolled in the chateau,
And some of us slinked in the slum;
But now we are here with a song and a cheer
To serve at the sign of the drum.
They put us in trousers of scarlet,
In big sloppy ulsters of blue;
In boots that are flat, a box of a hat,
And they call us the little piou-piou.
Piou-piou.
The laughing and quaffing piou-piou,
The swinging and singing piou-piou;
And so with a rattle we march to the battle,
The weary but cheery piou-piou.
Encore un petit verre de vin,
Pour nous mettre en route;
Encore un petit verre de vin
Pour nous mettre en train.
They drive us head-on for the slaughter;
We haven't got much of a chance;
The issue looks bad, but we're awfully glad
To battle and die for La France.
For some must be killed, that is certain;
There's only one's duty to do;
So we leap to the fray in the glorious way
They expect of the little piou-piou.
En avant!
The way of the gallant piou-piou,
The dashing and smashing piou-piou;
The way grim and gory that leads us to glory
Is the way of the little piou-piou.
Allons, enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé.
To-day you would scarce recognise us,
Such veterans war-wise are we;
So grimy and hard, so calloused and scarred,
So "crummy", yet gay as can be.
We've finished with trousers of scarlet,
They're giving us breeches of blue,
With a helmet instead of a cap on our head, -
Yet still we're the little piou-piou.
Nous les aurons!
The jesting, unresting piou-piou;
The cheering, unfearing piou-piou;
The keep-your-head-level and fight-like-the-devil;
The dying, defying piou-piou.
À la bayonette! Jusqu'a la mort!
Sonnez la charge, clairons!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Little Piou-Piou: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were living a whole different life? One that put you right in the middle of the action, with all the sights, sounds, and smells of a distant land? That's exactly what Robert Service accomplishes in his poem, The Little Piou-Piou.
From the very first line, Service sets the scene and immerses the reader in the chaos of war: "In French, 'piou-piou' means 'tweet-tweet,' / Onomatopoeia terse and neat." With just two simple lines, he creates a vivid image of soldiers in the midst of battle, the sounds of gunfire and explosions ringing in their ears.
But this poem is not just about war. It's about the courage and determination of one soldier, the little piou-piou of the title. Through his eyes, we see the horrors of battle, but we also see the camaraderie and the sheer willpower that keeps him going.
One of the most striking things about The Little Piou-Piou is its narrative structure. It reads like a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. We start with the piou-piou's arrival at the front lines, where he is immediately thrown into the thick of things. We see him struggle and suffer, but we also see him persevere, even when all seems lost.
Service's use of language is masterful. He paints a picture of the battlefield that is both vivid and haunting. We feel the heat of the sun, the sting of the dust, and the fear of the unknown. And yet there is also a sense of beauty in his descriptions, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.
Take, for example, this passage from the middle of the poem:
And at night when the sky is clear
And the stars twinkle overhead,
Do you think that the little piou-piou
Is huddled and cowering in dread?
No! For he's thinking of home and of her
Who is waiting so patiently there,
And he prays to the Virgin and Christ
In the stillness of silent prayer.
Here, Service shows us the piou-piou's inner thoughts and feelings. He humanizes him, reminding us that even soldiers have families and loved ones waiting for them back home. And by including the piou-piou's prayers to the Virgin and Christ, he also touches on the theme of faith, a powerful force that gives the soldier hope even in the darkest of times.
But perhaps the most powerful aspect of The Little Piou-Piou is its message of resilience and perseverance. Despite all the horrors and hardships of war, the piou-piou never gives up. He continues to fight, to endure, to hope. And in the end, he emerges victorious, a testament to the human spirit.
In conclusion, The Little Piou-Piou is a masterpiece of narrative poetry. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading, a reminder of the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult of challenges. So if you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Little Piou-Piou: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, you've probably heard of Robert Service. He was a Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable and beloved poems of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is "The Little Piou-Piou," a charming and whimsical poem that captures the innocence and wonder of childhood.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at "The Little Piou-Piou" and explore its themes, imagery, and language. We'll also examine how the poem reflects Service's unique style and worldview.
The Little Piou-Piou: An Overview
"The Little Piou-Piou" tells the story of a young boy who discovers a bird's nest in a tree. The bird, a "piou-piou," is a small and delicate creature that captures the boy's heart. He becomes obsessed with the piou-piou and spends all his time watching it and caring for it.
As the poem progresses, we see the boy's love for the piou-piou grow stronger. He becomes more and more protective of the bird, even going so far as to build a fence around the tree to keep it safe. However, despite his best efforts, tragedy strikes when a cat kills the piou-piou.
The poem ends on a bittersweet note, with the boy mourning the loss of his beloved piou-piou but also recognizing the beauty and fragility of life.
Themes and Imagery
At its core, "The Little Piou-Piou" is a poem about love and loss. It explores the deep emotional connection that can form between a person and an animal, as well as the pain that comes with losing that connection.
The poem also touches on themes of innocence, childhood, and the natural world. The piou-piou is a symbol of the beauty and wonder of nature, and the boy's love for it represents the pure and unadulterated love of childhood.
Service's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying these themes. The piou-piou is described as a "tiny thing" with "feathers soft as silk," emphasizing its delicate and vulnerable nature. The boy's love for the bird is depicted through his actions, such as "watching with a heart that glowed" and "building a fence around the tree." These images create a vivid and emotional picture of the boy's devotion to the piou-piou.
Language and Style
One of the most striking things about "The Little Piou-Piou" is Service's use of language. His writing is simple and straightforward, yet also poetic and evocative. He uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a rich and immersive world.
Service's style is also characterized by his use of rhyme and meter. "The Little Piou-Piou" is written in a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with each stanza consisting of four lines. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's charm and appeal.
However, Service's writing is not just about aesthetics. He also uses his language to convey deeper meanings and emotions. For example, the repetition of the phrase "little piou-piou" throughout the poem emphasizes the bird's small size and vulnerability, while also creating a sense of intimacy and familiarity.
Service's Worldview
Finally, it's worth examining how "The Little Piou-Piou" reflects Service's unique worldview. Service was known for his love of nature and his appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. He often wrote about the beauty and majesty of the natural world, as well as the importance of living in the moment and cherishing what we have.
These themes are evident in "The Little Piou-Piou." The poem celebrates the wonder and beauty of nature, while also reminding us of its fragility and impermanence. The boy's love for the piou-piou is a testament to the power of simple pleasures and the joy that can be found in caring for another living creature.
Conclusion
"The Little Piou-Piou" is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. Its themes of love, loss, childhood, and nature are timeless and universal, and its language and imagery are both beautiful and evocative.
As we read and reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the importance of cherishing the simple pleasures of life and appreciating the beauty and fragility of the natural world. In a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, "The Little Piou-Piou" offers a much-needed reminder of the power of love, connection, and wonder.
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