'The Pines' by Robert Service


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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesWe sleep in the sleep of ages, the bleak, barbarian pines;
The gray moss drapes us like sages, and closer we lock our lines,
And deeper we clutch through the gelid gloom where never a sunbeam shines.On the flanks of the storm-gored ridges are our black battalions massed;
We surge in a host to the sullen coast, and we sing in the ocean blast;
From empire of sea to empire of snow we grip our empire fast.To the niggard lands were we driven, 'twixt desert and floes are we penned;
To us was the Northland given, ours to stronghold and defend;
Ours till the world be riven in the crash of the utter end;Ours from the bleak beginning, through the aeons of death-like sleep;
Ours from the shock when the naked rock was hurled from the hissing deep;
Ours through the twilight ages of weary glacier creep.Wind of the East, Wind of the West, wandering to and fro,
Chant your songs in our topmost boughs, that the sons of men may know
The peerless pine was the first to come, and the pine will be last to go!We pillar the halls of perfumed gloom; we plume where the eagles soar;
The North-wind swoops from the brooding Pole, and our ancients crash and roar;
But where one falls from the crumbling walls shoots up a hardy score.We spring from the gloom of the canyon's womb; in the valley's lap we lie;
From the white foam-fringe, where the breakers cringe to the peaks that tusk the sky,
We climb, and we peer in the crag-locked mere that gleams like a golden eye.Gain to the verge of the hog-back ridge where the vision ranges free:
Pines and pines and the shadow of pines as far as the eye can see;
A steadfast legion of stalwart knights in dominant empery.Sun, moon and stars give answer; shall we not staunchly stand,
Even as now, forever, wards of the wilder strand,
Sentinels of the stillness, lords of the last, lone land?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Pines: A Literary Masterpiece

Are you a lover of poetry? Do you enjoy reading poems that paint vivid pictures in your mind? If yes, then you are in for a treat with Robert Service's "The Pines." This classic poem is a literary masterpiece that captures the beauty of nature in a way that is both captivating and enchanting.

At its core, "The Pines" is a celebration of the majesty of nature. The poem is set in a forest, and the speaker describes the trees in great detail. He observes the branches swaying in the wind and the needles rustling on the ground. The speaker marvels at the sheer size of the trees, claiming that they are "monarchs of the forest."

One of the most striking things about "The Pines" is its use of imagery. Service's language is rich and evocative, and he paints a picture of the forest that is both stunning and awe-inspiring. Take, for example, the following lines:

"The wind that fills their needles with a sound As of the fretted ocean's surging round, With sighs for every shore that it has found And secrets for the caverns of the ground."

In these lines, Service compares the sound of the wind rustling through the trees to the sound of the ocean. The image of the wind as a powerful, surging force is striking, and it helps to convey the strength and majesty of the forest.

Another aspect of "The Pines" that makes it such a powerful poem is its use of personification. Throughout the poem, Service gives human qualities to the trees, describing them as "stately," "graceful," and "proud." This technique helps to make the trees seem almost alive, and it gives the poem a sense of wonder and magic.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about "The Pines" is its message. At its heart, this poem is a celebration of the natural world and a call to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. The speaker urges us to "bless the trees, the living trees," and to recognize them as "the guardians of the earth."

In today's world, where the environment is under threat from pollution and climate change, this message feels more important than ever. "The Pines" reminds us that we are not the only inhabitants of this planet, and that we have a responsibility to take care of the natural world that sustains us.

In conclusion, "The Pines" is a truly remarkable poem. Its use of imagery, personification, and message all combine to create a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. If you are a lover of poetry, or simply someone who appreciates the natural world, then this is a poem that you simply cannot afford to miss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Pines: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his masterpieces. One such masterpiece is "The Pines," a poem that captures the essence of nature and its beauty. The poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to paint vivid pictures with his words and transport the reader to a different world altogether. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the pines, which stand tall and proud in the forest. The speaker marvels at their beauty and grandeur, describing them as "giants" that "tower to the sky." The imagery used here is powerful, as it creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader's mind. The pines are not just trees, but majestic beings that command respect and admiration.

As the poem progresses, the speaker delves deeper into the world of the pines, describing their surroundings and the creatures that inhabit them. He talks about the "whispering breeze" that rustles through the branches, and the "squirrel's nimble feet" that scamper up and down the trunks. The imagery used here is vivid and sensory, as it appeals to the reader's sense of sight and sound. The reader can almost feel the breeze on their skin and hear the rustling of the leaves.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the destruction of the forest. He talks about the "axe's deadly stroke" that fells the trees and the "smoke of burning brush" that fills the air. The imagery used here is stark and powerful, as it creates a sense of loss and despair. The reader can almost feel the pain of the trees as they are cut down and the devastation of the forest as it is destroyed.

However, the poem ends on a hopeful note, as the speaker talks about the resilience of nature. He describes how the pines will grow back, and the forest will be restored to its former glory. The imagery used here is uplifting and inspiring, as it creates a sense of hope and optimism. The reader is left with a sense of awe at the power of nature and its ability to heal itself.

The themes of the poem are manifold. One of the primary themes is the beauty and majesty of nature. The speaker marvels at the pines and their surroundings, describing them in vivid detail. He creates a sense of wonder and awe in the reader's mind, making them appreciate the beauty of nature. Another theme is the destruction of nature by human beings. The speaker talks about the devastation caused by the axe and the smoke of burning brush, highlighting the impact of human activity on the environment. However, the poem also emphasizes the resilience of nature and its ability to heal itself, creating a sense of hope and optimism.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, creating a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of repetition, such as "tower to the sky" and "whispering breeze," adds to the poem's musicality and creates a sense of unity.

The poem also employs various literary devices to enhance its impact. One such device is imagery, which creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The use of personification, such as describing the pines as "giants," adds to their majesty and grandeur. The poem also uses alliteration, such as "squirrel's nimble feet," to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.

In conclusion, "The Pines" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty and majesty of nature. The poem is a testament to Robert Service's ability to create vivid pictures with his words and transport the reader to a different world altogether. The themes of the poem, such as the destruction of nature and its resilience, are still relevant today, making the poem timeless. The structure and literary devices used in the poem add to its impact, creating a sense of rhythm and flow. Overall, "The Pines" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature and the power of poetry.

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