'Immortality' by Robert Service


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Carols of an Old CodgerFull well I trow that when I dieDown drops the curtain;
Another show is all my eyeAnd Betty Martin.
I know the score, and with a smileOf rueful rating,
I reckon I am not worth whilePerpetuating.I hope that God,--if God there beOf love and glory,
Will let me off Eternity,And end my story.
Will count me just a worn-out bitOf human matter,
Who's done his job or bungled it,--More like the latter.I did not beg for mortal breath,Plus hell or Heaven;
So let the last pay-off be death,And call it even.
To Nature I will pay my debtWith stoic laughter:
But spare me, God, your awful threatOf Life Here-after!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Immortality: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have heard about Robert Service, the famous poet who is known for his incredible works such as "The Spell of the Yukon," "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," and "The Cremation of Sam McGee," among others. However, there is one poem that stands out from the rest, and that is "Poetry, Immortality." This poem is a masterpiece that explores the connection between poetry and immortality, and it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the power of poetry.

Background Information about the Poet

Before we dive into the poem, let's first take a moment to learn more about the poet Robert Service. He was born in Lancashire, England, in 1874, but he later moved to Canada, where he spent most of his life. He worked as a bank clerk in the Yukon, and it was during this time that he began to write poetry. Service's poems were often inspired by the rugged landscape of the Yukon, and he became known as the "Bard of the Yukon" because of his love for the region.

Service's style of poetry was unique in that he wrote in a simple, straightforward manner that made his poems accessible to everyone. He was not interested in using complex metaphors or obscure language; instead, he wrote in a way that anyone could understand. This style was especially effective in his poems about the Yukon, as it allowed readers to appreciate the beauty of the region without getting bogged down in complicated language.

Analysis of "Poetry, Immortality"

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem "Poetry, Immortality." This poem is a meditation on the power of poetry to transcend time and death. It begins with the speaker questioning whether his poetry will live on after he is gone:

"To-morrow when I wake, or think I do,
What shall I say of life?
"That it was good and pure, but all too brief?"

The speaker is wrestling with the idea that life is fleeting and that everything we do will eventually be forgotten. However, he finds solace in the fact that his poetry might outlive him:

"Say that I loved the sun,
Her colors and her gold;
But that I loved the moon
As much as I could hold.

"Say I loved field and forest,
And all that in them lay;
And never forgot a mountain
That I passed upon my way.

"And if I speak in grief
Of what I miss and crave,
Tell how I longed for Beauty,
And how I tried to save.

"And say that poet was my trade,
And that I sang as well
As one who in his heart had loved
The gifts no tongue could tell."

The speaker's love for the natural world is evident in these lines, and he wants to be remembered as someone who appreciated the beauty of the world around him. However, it is the final line that is the most powerful: "And say that poet was my trade, / And that I sang as well / As one who in his heart had loved / The gifts no tongue could tell." Here, the speaker is saying that his poetry was not just a job, but a way of expressing his love for the world. He believes that his poetry is a reflection of his soul, and that it will live on after he is gone.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most profound:

"For what is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."

Here, the speaker is reminding us that life is fleeting, and that everything we do will eventually be forgotten. However, he believes that poetry has the power to transcend time and death. By writing about the beauty of the world, he is capturing a moment in time that will live on forever.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Poetry, Immortality" is a powerful meditation on the power of poetry to transcend time and death. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that everything we do will eventually be forgotten. However, by writing about the beauty of the world, we can capture a moment in time that will live on forever.

The poem is also a reflection of Robert Service's philosophy on poetry. He believed that poetry should be accessible to everyone, and that it should be a reflection of the beauty of the world. Service was not interested in writing poetry that was obscure or difficult to understand; instead, he wanted his poetry to be a celebration of life.

In conclusion, "Poetry, Immortality" is a masterpiece that explores the connection between poetry and immortality. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the power of poetry, and it is a testament to the genius of Robert Service.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Immortality: An Analysis of Robert Service's Classic

Robert Service's "Poetry Immortality" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every poet, every writer, and every artist who has ever dreamed of leaving a lasting legacy. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the depths of this poem, exploring its themes, its structure, and its relevance to our lives today.

The poem begins with the speaker asking a question: "Do you remember that hour of din before the meal?" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately draws the reader in and makes them curious about what is to come. The speaker then goes on to describe a scene in which a group of people are gathered together, talking and laughing, before a meal. This scene is a metaphor for life, with the meal representing death.

The speaker then asks another question: "Do you remember the table spread for the feast?" This question is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of every moment. The table represents the opportunities that life presents us with, and the feast represents the experiences that we can have if we seize those opportunities.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to talk about the power of poetry. He says, "And the wine of love and the wine of dreams are poured, / And we drink and are one with the gods." This line is a celebration of the power of poetry to transport us to another world, to make us feel things that we might not otherwise feel, and to connect us with something greater than ourselves.

The speaker then goes on to say, "We feel the rush of the wings of the soul, / And the joy that is born of pain." This line is a reminder that poetry is not just about beauty and pleasure, but also about the darker aspects of life. It is through poetry that we can confront our pain and our sorrow, and find meaning in the midst of it all.

The poem then takes another turn, as the speaker begins to talk about the immortality that poetry can bring. He says, "And we know that in spite of the sin and the strife, / We shall taste of the joy of life with the gods." This line is a reminder that even though life is full of struggle and pain, there is still beauty and joy to be found. And through poetry, we can capture that beauty and joy, and make it last forever.

The poem then ends with the speaker saying, "And we feel in our hearts that the poet has won, / And a glory that shines upon his name." This line is a celebration of the power of poetry to immortalize the poet who writes it. Through his words, the poet can live on forever, and his name can shine like a star in the sky.

In terms of structure, "Poetry Immortality" is a fairly simple poem. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The language is simple and straightforward, but also powerful and evocative. Service's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective, as it helps to bring the poem to life and make it more relatable to the reader.

So what is the relevance of "Poetry Immortality" to our lives today? In a world that is increasingly focused on material success and instant gratification, this poem is a reminder that there is more to life than just the here and now. It is a reminder that we should strive to leave a lasting legacy, to create something that will live on after we are gone. And it is a reminder that poetry, and art in general, has the power to connect us with something greater than ourselves, to help us find meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem chaotic and meaningless.

In conclusion, "Poetry Immortality" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time for good reason. It speaks to the heart of every poet, every writer, and every artist who has ever dreamed of leaving a lasting legacy. Through its simple yet powerful language, its effective use of metaphor and imagery, and its celebration of the power of poetry to immortalize the poet who writes it, this poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of art and creativity in our lives.

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