'The Widower' by Robert Service
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Oh I have worn my mourning out,
And on her grave the green grass grows;
So I will hang each sorry clout
High in the corn to scare the crows.
And I will buy a peacock tie,
And coat of cloth of Donegal;
Then to the Farmer's Fair I'll hie
And peek in at the Barley Ball.
But though the fiddlers saw a jig
I used to foot when I was wed,
I'll walk me home and feed the pig,
And go a lonesome man to bed.
So I will wait another year,
As any decent chap would do,
Till I can think without a tear
Of her whose eyes were cornflower blue.
Then to the Harvest Ball I'll hie,
And I will wear a flower-sprigged vest;
For Maggie has a nut-brown eyes,
And we will foot it with the best.
And if kind-minded she should be
To wife me - 'tis the will if God . . .
But Oh the broken heart f me
For her who lies below the sod!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Widower: A Deep Dive into Robert Service's Classic Poem
The Widower, written by Robert Service, is a poignant and evocative piece of poetry that explores the depths of grief and loss. It tells the story of a man who has lost his wife and is struggling to come to terms with the emptiness and loneliness that now fills his life. Through powerful imagery and evocative language, Service paints a vivid picture of the widower's emotional journey, making this poem a timeless classic that resonates with readers to this day.
An Overview of The Widower
The Widower is a relatively short poem, consisting of just 20 lines. However, within those 20 lines, Service manages to convey a wealth of emotion and meaning. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with five lines. The first two stanzas describe the widower's struggle to come to terms with his loss, while the third stanza takes a more philosophical turn, exploring the nature of grief and the passing of time. The final stanza brings the poem to a close, offering a glimmer of hope and the possibility of healing.
A Close Reading of The Widower
To truly appreciate the depth and complexity of The Widower, it's important to take a closer look at the poem's language and imagery. Let's examine each stanza in turn and unpack the meaning behind the words.
Stanza One:
He stared at his boots, dull and cracked; He spat on his hands, calloused and black; Then he braced up his back, and he looked at the sky, And he whistled a tune, simple and high.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces us to the widower. We get a sense of his physical appearance – his boots are dull and cracked, and his hands are calloused and black. These details paint a picture of a hard-working man who is used to physical labor. However, despite his outward toughness, he is obviously struggling emotionally. The fact that he stares at his boots and spits on his hands suggests a sense of resignation or defeat.
However, the widower doesn't give up. He braces up his back and looks at the sky, whistling a simple tune. This moment of defiance and determination is a glimmer of hope amidst his grief. The act of looking up at the sky could be interpreted as a search for meaning or a sense of connection to something larger than himself.
Stanza Two:
He paused for a moment, his chin on his chest, Then turned on his heel and he went to his rest; And the night was so black that he could not see The wild, white face of the open sea.
The second stanza is more somber in tone. The widower pauses for a moment, perhaps lost in thought or overcome with emotion. However, he ultimately turns and goes to his rest, signaling that he is still moving forward despite his pain.
The final two lines of the stanza are particularly evocative. The night is described as "so black" that the widower cannot see the sea. This image of darkness and blindness suggests a sense of despair or hopelessness. The sea, which is often a symbol of the infinite and the unknown, is described as "wild" and "white-faced," further emphasizing the sense of danger and uncertainty that the widower is facing.
Stanza Three:
And the moonlight lay on the heaving main, Like a golden gate on a crystal plain; While high in the heaven a star looked down On the lonely widower, wrapped in his gown.
The third stanza takes a more philosophical turn, exploring the nature of grief and the passage of time. The moonlight is described as "laying" on the heaving main, suggesting a sense of calm or stillness in the midst of chaos. The image of the moonlight as a "golden gate on a crystal plain" is particularly striking, conjuring up an image of beauty and transcendence amidst the darkness.
The final two lines of the stanza bring the focus back to the widower. He is described as "lonely" and "wrapped in his gown," emphasizing his isolation and vulnerability. However, the fact that a star is looking down on him suggests a sense of connection or communion with something larger than himself.
Stanza Four:
For he knew in his heart that the end was near, And he thought of his wife with a smile and a tear; And he spoke out loud, and his voice was brave, "I'll soon be with you, my love, in the grave."
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. The widower knows that the end is near, but instead of despairing, he thinks of his wife with a smile and a tear. This image of mixed emotions – joy and sorrow – is a powerful testament to the complexity of grief.
The fact that the widower speaks out loud and his voice is brave suggests a sense of acceptance or resignation. He knows that he will soon be reunited with his wife, and this thought brings him comfort. The final line of the poem – "I'll soon be with you, my love, in the grave" – is both haunting and beautiful, a fitting conclusion to this powerful poem.
Themes and Interpretations
The Widower explores a number of themes, including grief, loss, and the passage of time. However, perhaps the most powerful theme of the poem is the search for meaning and connection amidst the darkness. The widower is confronted with a sense of emptiness and despair, but he refuses to give up. Instead, he looks to the sky, speaks out loud, and finds comfort in the thought of being reunited with his wife.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the transience of life. The widower knows that his time on earth is limited, and he is comforted by the thought of being reunited with his wife in the grave. However, this interpretation raises questions about the nature of existence and the afterlife, which are left unanswered by the poem.
Conclusion
The Widower is a masterful piece of poetry that captures the complexity of grief and loss. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert Service tells the story of a man who is struggling to come to terms with his wife's death. However, despite the darkness that surrounds him, the widower refuses to give up. He looks to the sky, speaks out loud, and finds comfort in the thought of being reunited with his wife in the grave. This poem is a timeless classic that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and the search for meaning amidst the darkness.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Widower by Robert Service is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who has lost his wife and is struggling to come to terms with his grief. The poem is a powerful exploration of loss, love, and the human experience, and it has resonated with readers for generations.
At its core, The Widower is a poem about the power of love and the pain of loss. The speaker of the poem is a man who has lost his wife, and he is struggling to cope with the emptiness and loneliness that he feels. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, but it is filled with emotion and depth.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the emptiness that he feels since his wife's death. He talks about how he used to be happy and content, but now he feels lost and alone. He says that he misses his wife so much that he can't even bear to look at her picture.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on his life with his wife. He remembers the happy times that they shared together, and he talks about how much he loved her. He says that he would give anything to have her back, even if it was just for a moment.
One of the most powerful aspects of The Widower is the way that it captures the complexity of grief. The speaker is not just sad or depressed; he is overwhelmed by a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to guilt and regret. He talks about how he wishes he had done more for his wife when she was alive, and he wonders if he could have done something to prevent her death.
Despite the pain and sadness that the speaker feels, there is also a sense of hope in the poem. The speaker talks about how he knows that his wife is still with him in some way, and he believes that they will be reunited someday. He says that he will never forget her, and that he will always love her.
Overall, The Widower is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of grief and loss. It is a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit, and it has touched the hearts of countless readers over the years. Whether you are dealing with your own loss or simply looking for a powerful and emotional poem to read, The Widower is a must-read.
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