'On the Wire' by Robert W. Service


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O God, take the sun from the sky!
It's burning me, scorching me up.
God, can't You hear my cry?
Water! A poor, little cup!
It's laughing, the cursed sun!
See how it swells and swells
Fierce as a hundred hells!
God, will it never have done?
It's searing the flesh on my bones;
It's beating with hammers red
My eyeballs into my head;
It's parching my very moans.
See! It's the size of the sky,
And the sky is a torrent of fire,
Foaming on me as I lie
Here on the wire . . . the wire. . . .

Of the thousands that wheeze and hum
Heedlessly over my head,
Why can't a bullet come,
Pierce to my brain instead,
Blacken forever my brain,
Finish forever my pain?
Here in the hellish glare
Why must I suffer so?
Is it God doesn't care?
Is it God doesn't know?
Oh, to be killed outright,
Clean in the clash of the fight!
That is a golden death,
That is a boon; but this . . .
Drawing an anguished breath
Under a hot abyss,
Under a stooping sky
Of seething, sulphurous fire,
Scorching me up as I lie
Here on the wire . . . the wire. . . .

Hasten, O God, Thy night!
Hide from my eyes the sight
Of the body I stare and see
Shattered so hideously.
I can't believe that it's mine.
My body was white and sweet,
Flawless and fair and fine,
Shapely from head to feet;
Oh no, I can never be
The thing of horror I see
Under the rifle fire,
Trussed on the wire . . . the wire. . . .

Of night and of death I dream;
Night that will bring me peace,
Coolness and starry gleam,
Stillness and death's release:
Ages and ages have passed, --
Lo! it is night at last.
Night! but the guns roar out.
Night! but the hosts attack.
Red and yellow and black
Geysers of doom upspout.
Silver and green and red
Star-shells hover and spread.
Yonder off to the right
Fiercely kindles the fight;
Roaring near and more near,
Thundering now in my ear;
Close to me, close . . . Oh, hark!
Someone moans in the dark.
I hear, but I cannot see,
I hear as the rest retire,
Someone is caught like me,
Caught on the wire . . . the wire. . . .

Again the shuddering dawn,
Weird and wicked and wan;
Again, and I've not yet gone.
The man whom I heard is dead.
Now I can understand:
A bullet hole in his head,
A pistol gripped in his hand.
Well, he knew what to do, --
Yes, and now I know too. . . .


Hark the resentful guns!
Oh, how thankful am I
To think my beloved ones
Will never know how I die!
I've suffered more than my share;
I'm shattered beyond repair;
I've fought like a man the fight,
And now I demand the right
(God! how his fingers cling!)
To do without shame this thing.
Good! there's a bullet still;
Now I'm ready to fire;
Blame me, God, if You will,
Here on the wire . . . the wire. . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

"On the Wire" by Robert W. Service: A Poem of Tension and Anxiety

Robert W. Service's poem "On the Wire" is a short but powerful work that captures the tension and anxiety of waiting for news from a loved one during wartime. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and skillful use of language to create a sense of suspense and unease.

Overview of the Poem

At just twelve lines long, "On the Wire" is a concise and tightly focused poem. The speaker is waiting for news from someone they love who is serving in the military. The title refers to the telephone wire that connects the speaker to the outside world, and the poem reflects on the emotions and thoughts that run through the speaker's mind as they wait.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker's observation that "the news is late". This simple phrase sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of unease and uncertainty. The speaker is clearly anxious to hear from their loved one, and the delay in news only adds to their anxiety.

The use of the word "late" is interesting here. It suggests that the news was expected at a certain time, and that the delay is therefore significant. This creates a sense that the speaker is waiting for something important, something that could have a major impact on their life.

The second line of the poem introduces the image of the telephone wire: "the wire is humming". This image is important because it connects the speaker to the outside world, representing their only link to the person they are waiting to hear from. The fact that the wire is "humming" suggests that it is alive with activity, adding to the sense of tension and anticipation.

The third line of the poem introduces the idea of distance: "miles and miles of silence". This line emphasizes the physical separation between the speaker and their loved one, and the sense of isolation that comes with waiting for news. The use of repetition ("miles and miles") reinforces the idea of distance, and the word "silence" suggests that the speaker is cut off from the world around them.

The fourth line of the poem introduces the image of the "little black box". This is a reference to the telephone, which is often seen as a symbol of communication and connection. However, in this context, the telephone is also a source of anxiety, as the speaker is waiting for it to ring with news that could be good or bad.

The fifth line of the poem introduces the image of the "long thin thread". This is a reference to the telephone wire, which is depicted as a fragile and tenuous connection between the speaker and the outside world. The use of the word "thread" suggests that this connection could be easily broken or severed.

The sixth line of the poem introduces the image of the "little black box" once again, reminding us of the speaker's anxiety and anticipation as they wait for news.

The seventh line of the poem is perhaps the most powerful: "I can't bear the waiting". This line captures the emotional intensity of the poem, conveying the speaker's sense of helplessness and vulnerability. The use of the word "bear" suggests that the waiting is a burden that the speaker must endure, and the repetition of the word "waiting" reinforces the sense of anxiety and anticipation.

The eighth line of the poem introduces the image of the "long thin wire". This is a reference to the telephone wire once again, and the use of the word "long" emphasizes the distance between the speaker and the outside world.

The ninth line of the poem introduces the image of the "little black box" once again, reminding us of the speaker's anxiety and anticipation.

The tenth line of the poem introduces the idea of time: "the minutes crawl by". This line emphasizes the slow and painful passage of time as the speaker waits for news. The use of the word "crawl" suggests that time is almost standing still, and that the waiting is becoming unbearable.

The eleventh line of the poem introduces the image of the "long thin thread" once again, reminding us of the fragility of the connection between the speaker and the outside world.

The twelfth and final line of the poem is a repetition of the first: "the news is late". This repetition creates a sense of circularity, suggesting that the speaker is stuck in a loop of anxiety and anticipation, waiting for news that may never come.

Interpretation of the Poem

"On the Wire" is a powerful poem that captures the emotions and thoughts of someone waiting for news from a loved one during wartime. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery and skillful use of language to create a sense of tension and anxiety.

At its core, the poem is about the uncertainty and isolation that comes with waiting for news. The speaker is cut off from the outside world, with only the telephone wire connecting them to the person they love. This creates a sense of distance and separation, and the waiting becomes almost unbearable.

The use of repetition in the poem is particularly effective, reinforcing the sense of tension and anxiety. The repetition of the phrase "the news is late" creates a sense of circularity, suggesting that the speaker is stuck in a loop of waiting and uncertainty.

Overall, "On the Wire" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the emotions and experiences of those who have waited anxiously for news from loved ones during wartime. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers and their families make, and the emotional toll that war can take on those who are left behind.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On the Wire: An Analysis of Robert W. Service's Classic Poem

Robert W. Service's "Poetry On the Wire" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of words. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the art of poetry and the way it can inspire and uplift us in times of hardship and struggle. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the lines, "Poetry on the wire, / like a bird on a high wire, / flutters and sings." These lines immediately set the tone for the poem, evoking a sense of freedom and beauty. The image of a bird on a high wire is a powerful one, suggesting a delicate balance between freedom and constraint. The bird is free to fly, but it must also maintain its balance on the wire. Similarly, poetry is a form of expression that requires skill and discipline, but it also allows for a great deal of creativity and freedom.

The next lines of the poem read, "It soars and dips, and flits and skips, / and never once it clings." Here, Service is emphasizing the fluidity and movement of poetry. Like a bird in flight, poetry is constantly in motion, never staying in one place for too long. The use of alliteration in these lines also adds to the musicality of the poem, reinforcing the idea that poetry is a form of art that is meant to be heard and enjoyed.

The third stanza of the poem reads, "It's like a flame that flickers and dies, / and then again it springs; / It's like a bird that spreads its wings, / and soars to the sky on high." Here, Service is comparing poetry to a flame and a bird, two powerful symbols of life and vitality. The flame represents the passion and intensity of poetry, while the bird represents its ability to soar to great heights. The use of simile in these lines also adds to the richness of the imagery, making the poem more vivid and memorable.

The fourth stanza of the poem reads, "It's like a flower that blooms and fades, / and yet its fragrance clings; / It's like a song that echoes on, / and in our memory rings." Here, Service is emphasizing the ephemeral nature of poetry. Like a flower that blooms and fades, poetry is a fleeting thing that can be easily forgotten. However, its fragrance lingers on, reminding us of its beauty and power. Similarly, a song that echoes on in our memory is a powerful reminder of the emotions and experiences that inspired it.

The final stanza of the poem reads, "So let us sing our songs of life, / and let them soar on high; / And let us write our poetry, / and let it never die." Here, Service is urging us to embrace the power of poetry and to use it to express ourselves and connect with others. He is reminding us that poetry is a form of art that can inspire and uplift us, even in the darkest of times. By writing our own poetry and sharing it with others, we can create a sense of community and connection that transcends time and space.

In conclusion, "Poetry On the Wire" is a beautiful tribute to the art of poetry and the way it can inspire and uplift us. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of words. It reminds us that poetry is a form of expression that requires skill and discipline, but it also allows for a great deal of creativity and freedom. By embracing the power of poetry and sharing it with others, we can create a sense of community and connection that transcends time and space.

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