'The Wonderer' by Robert Service


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I wish that I could understand
The moving marvel of my Hand;
I watch my fingers turn and twist,
The supple bending of my wrist,
The dainty touch of finger-tip,
The steel intensity of grip;
A tool of exquisite design,
With pride I think: "It's mine! It's mine!"

Then there's the wonder of my Eyes,
Where hills and houses, seas and skies,
In waves of light converge and pass,
And print themselves as on a glass.
Line, form and color live in me;
I am the Beauty that I see;
Ah! I could write a book of size
About the wonder of my Eyes.

What of the wonder of my Heart,
That plays so faithfully its part?
I hear it running sound and sweet;
It does not seem to miss a beat;
Between the cradle and the grave
It never falters, stanch and brave.
Alas! I wish I had the art
To tell the wonder of my Heart.

Then oh! but how can I explain
The wondrous wonder of my Brain?
That marvelous machine that brings
All consciousness of wonderings;
That lets me from myself leap out
And watch my body walk about;
It's hopeless -- all my words are vain
To tell the wonder of my Brain.

But do not think, O patient friend,
Who reads these stanzas to the end,
That I myself would glorify. . . .
You're just as wonderful as I,
And all Creation in our view
Is quite as marvelous as you.
Come, let us on the sea-shore stand
And wonder at a grain of sand;
And then into the meadow pass
And marvel at a blade of grass;
Or cast our vision high and far
And thrill with wonder at a star;
A host of stars -- night's holy tent
Huge-glittering with wonderment.

If wonder is in great and small,
Then what of Him who made it all?
In eyes and brain and heart and limb
Let's see the wondrous work of Him.
In house and hill and sward and sea,
In bird and beast and flower and tree,
In everything from sun to sod,
The wonder and the awe of God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Wonderer by Robert Service: A Journey into the Depths of the Human Soul

Have you ever found yourself lost in thought, contemplating the mysteries of life? Perhaps you were sitting alone in a quiet room, or maybe you were out in nature, surrounded by the beauty of the world. Whatever the setting, you probably felt a sense of wonder and awe, as if you were standing on the edge of something vast and mysterious.

This is the feeling that Robert Service captures so beautifully in his poem, The Wonderer. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, Service takes us on a journey into the depths of the human soul, exploring the existential questions that have troubled mankind since the dawn of time.

At its core, The Wonderer is a meditation on the human condition. It is a poem that asks the big questions: Who are we? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? These questions have no easy answers, and Service does not attempt to provide them. Instead, he invites us to join him on a journey of discovery, to explore these questions together and see where they lead.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his state of mind. He is lost in thought, wandering through a "lonely land" that is both physical and metaphorical. He describes himself as a "stranger", a "weary pilgrim", and a "faery child". These images evoke a sense of dislocation and otherworldliness, as if the speaker is not quite of this world.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the nature of existence. He wonders about the purpose of life, asking whether it is merely a "vain and fleeting show", or whether there is something more to it. He contemplates the fleeting nature of human existence, likening it to a "frost upon a window pane" that disappears with the first rays of the sun.

Throughout the poem, the speaker is haunted by the specter of death. He imagines himself as a "wind-blown leaf" that is "fated to rot on the ground", and wonders whether his life has any meaning in the face of such inevitable decay. He longs for some kind of transcendence, some way to escape the relentless march of time.

And yet, despite all these dark thoughts, there is a sense of wonder and awe that pervades the poem. The speaker is not simply depressed or nihilistic; he is genuinely curious about the mysteries of life. He marvels at the beauty of the world around him, describing the "bloom of the heather" and the "flash of a trout in a pool". He is moved by the simple pleasures of life, such as the warmth of the sun on his skin and the sound of a bird in flight.

It is this sense of wonder and awe that ultimately saves the speaker from despair. He realizes that even in the face of death and decay, there is still beauty in the world. Life may be fleeting, but it is also precious and full of meaning. The speaker concludes the poem by affirming his love for life, declaring that he will "sing my song to the wide, grey sky".

In many ways, The Wonderer is a poem about the power of poetry itself. It is a poem that seeks to capture the ineffable mysteries of life, to give voice to the questions that we all ask ourselves. Service uses language to create a sense of wonder and awe, to evoke the beauty of the world and the fleeting nature of human existence.

At the same time, The Wonderer is also a deeply personal poem. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition in general, but it is also a poem that reflects Service's own experience of the world. Service was a man who spent much of his life wandering, searching for meaning and purpose. He was a man who was deeply moved by the beauty of the world, but who was also haunted by the specter of death. In many ways, The Wonderer is a reflection of Service's own journey through life.

In conclusion, The Wonderer is a masterpiece of poetry. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity, exploring the big questions that have troubled mankind for centuries. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, Service takes us on a journey into the depths of the human soul, showing us the beauty and wonder that can be found even in the darkest of moments. If you have ever found yourself lost in thought, contemplating the mysteries of life, then The Wonderer is a poem that you simply must read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Wonderer: A Poem of Reflection and Contemplation

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his profound and thought-provoking works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Wonderer, is a masterpiece that delves deep into the human psyche and explores the complexities of life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and unravel its many layers of meaning.

The Wonderer is a poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is a wanderer who is contemplating the meaning of his existence. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct theme.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is wandering through the world, observing the beauty of nature and the wonders of the universe. He marvels at the stars in the sky and the vastness of the ocean. He is in awe of the power of nature and the mysteries of the universe. However, despite his wonder and amazement, he is also aware of the transience of life. He knows that everything he sees will eventually fade away, and he will be left alone with his thoughts.

The second stanza is a reflection on the speaker's past. He remembers the joys and sorrows of his life, the people he has loved and lost, and the experiences that have shaped him. He thinks about the mistakes he has made and the regrets he carries with him. He wonders if he has lived his life to the fullest and if he has made a difference in the world. He is haunted by the thought that his life may have been meaningless, and he is searching for answers.

The third and final stanza is a meditation on death. The speaker knows that his time on earth is limited, and he is preparing himself for the inevitable. He wonders what lies beyond death and if there is an afterlife. He is afraid of the unknown and the uncertainty of what comes next. However, he is also comforted by the thought that death is a natural part of life and that he will be reunited with his loved ones who have passed away before him.

The Wonderer is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience. It is a reflection on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have. It is a call to live our lives to the fullest and to make a difference in the world. The poem is also a meditation on the mysteries of the universe and the wonders of nature. It is a reminder that we are all connected and that we are all part of something greater than ourselves.

The language and imagery used in The Wonderer are powerful and evocative. Service's use of vivid descriptions and metaphors creates a sense of wonder and awe. The poem is full of contrasts, such as the beauty of nature and the inevitability of death, which create a sense of tension and complexity. The use of repetition, such as the phrase "I wonder" in the first stanza, creates a sense of introspection and contemplation.

In conclusion, The Wonderer is a timeless poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a reflection on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is a call to live our lives to the fullest and to make a difference in the world. It is a meditation on the mysteries of the universe and the wonders of nature. The language and imagery used in the poem are powerful and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and awe. The Wonderer is a masterpiece of literature that will continue to inspire and provoke thought for generations to come.

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