'Bird Watcher' by Robert Service
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In Wall Street once a potent power,
And now a multi-millionaire
Alone within a shady bower
In clothes his valet would not wear,
He watches bird wings bright the air.
The man who mighty mergers planned,
And oil and coal kinglike controlled,
With field-glasses in failing hand
Spies downy nestlings five days old,
With joy he could not buy for gold.
Aye, even childlike is his glee;
But how he crisps with hate and dread
And shakes a clawlike fist to see
A kestrel hover overhead:
Though he would never shoot it dead.
Although his cook afar doth forage
For food to woo his appetite,
The old man lives on milk and porridge
And now it is his last delight
At eve if one lone linnet lingers
To pick crushed almonds from his fingers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bird Watcher by Robert Service: A Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever heard of Robert Service? If you haven't, then you are missing out on one of the finest poets of the 20th century. Robert Service, born in England in 1874, moved to Canada when he was 21, where he worked as a banker and later as a war correspondent. However, it was his poetry, especially his poems about the Canadian wilderness, that made him famous.
One of his most famous poems is Bird Watcher, a poem about a man who watches birds and reflects on his life. This poem is a masterpiece that combines natural beauty, human emotion, and philosophical reflection. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, imagery, and poetic techniques used in Bird Watcher.
Themes
The theme of Bird Watcher is the transience of life and the beauty of nature. The narrator of the poem, an old man who spends his time watching birds, reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. He realizes that his life is coming to an end and that he has little time left. He says:
"And though I know he's got to go, It's hard to think of Jim, you know, As any but a boy."
The narrator also reflects on the beauty of nature, especially the birds. He observes their movements, their colors, and their songs, and he feels a sense of wonder and awe. He says:
"The miracles that they perform! The way they ride the wind and storm! The way they mate and nest!"
Thus, the poem celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature while acknowledging the fleeting nature of life.
Imagery
The imagery in Bird Watcher is rich and vivid. The poet uses images of birds to convey the beauty of nature and the transience of life. For example, he describes a flock of geese flying overhead:
"And then I hear the sounding wings Beat on the air like giant things, As southward they take flight."
The image of the geese flying south is a powerful symbol of the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Similarly, the poet uses images of other birds, such as the loon and the hawk, to evoke the wildness and beauty of nature.
The poet also uses images of the natural environment to convey a sense of place and atmosphere. He describes the "shores of green" and the "waves of blue," creating a vivid picture of the natural world. He also uses images of the changing seasons, such as "the first fresh snows of fall," to emphasize the cyclical nature of life.
Poetic Techniques
The poet employs a number of poetic techniques in Bird Watcher to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, he uses repetition of certain phrases, such as "the sounding wings" and "it's hard to think of Jim, you know," to create a sense of structure and rhythm. He also uses alliteration, such as "the way they ride the wind and storm," to create a musical effect. The poem also has a regular rhyme scheme, with every second and fourth line rhyming.
The poet also uses metaphor and simile to create vivid images and convey complex feelings. For example, he compares the birds to "miracles" and "giant things," emphasizing their beauty and power. He also uses metaphorical language to describe the narrator's emotions, such as "my heart is like a bird's."
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bird Watcher is a masterpiece of poetry that combines natural beauty, human emotion, and philosophical reflection. The poem celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature while acknowledging the fleeting nature of life. The imagery is rich and vivid, and the poet employs a number of poetic techniques to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. Overall, Bird Watcher is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke complex emotions and convey profound insights about the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bird Watcher: A Poem Analysis
Bird Watcher is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet known for his vivid descriptions of nature and the human experience. The poem is a beautiful ode to the beauty of birds and the joy they bring to those who watch them. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
Themes
The poem is centered around the theme of nature and the beauty of birds. The speaker is a bird watcher who is deeply fascinated by the birds he sees. He describes the birds in detail, highlighting their colors, movements, and sounds. The speaker's love for birds is evident in the way he talks about them. He sees them as creatures of beauty and grace, and he is in awe of their ability to fly and sing.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of escape. The speaker seems to be using bird watching as a way to escape from the stresses of everyday life. He talks about how watching birds helps him forget about his worries and troubles. The poem suggests that nature has a healing power that can help us find peace and tranquility.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative. Service uses descriptive language to paint a picture of the birds and their surroundings. For example, he describes the "scarlet flash" of a cardinal and the "sapphire blaze" of a blue jay. These descriptions help the reader visualize the birds and appreciate their beauty.
Service also uses imagery to create a sense of movement and action. He describes the birds as "darting" and "flitting" through the trees, creating a sense of energy and excitement. The imagery in the poem helps to convey the speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the birds he sees.
Language
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also poetic and lyrical. Service uses alliteration and rhyme to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, he writes, "The robin's song was silver sweet, the whippoorwill was woodsy wild." The repetition of the "s" and "w" sounds creates a pleasing rhythm to the poem.
Service also uses figurative language to enhance the imagery in the poem. For example, he writes, "The oriole was like a flame, the goldfinch like a gem." These comparisons help the reader visualize the birds and appreciate their beauty.
Analysis
Bird Watcher is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy it can bring to our lives. The speaker's love for birds is evident in the way he talks about them. He sees them as creatures of beauty and grace, and he is in awe of their ability to fly and sing.
The poem also suggests that nature has a healing power that can help us find peace and tranquility. The speaker uses bird watching as a way to escape from the stresses of everyday life. He talks about how watching birds helps him forget about his worries and troubles.
The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative. Service uses descriptive language to paint a picture of the birds and their surroundings. The imagery helps to convey the speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the birds he sees.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also poetic and lyrical. Service uses alliteration and rhyme to create a musical quality to the poem. He also uses figurative language to enhance the imagery in the poem.
Overall, Bird Watcher is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy it can bring to our lives. It reminds us to take a moment to appreciate the world around us and find peace in the beauty of nature.
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