'At Thirty-Five' by Robert Service


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Rhymes of a Rolling StoneThree score and ten, the psalmist saith,
And half my course is well-nigh run;
I've had my flout at dusty death,
I've had my whack of feast and fun.
I've mocked at those who prate and preach;
I've laughed with any man alive;
But now with sobered heart I reach
The Great Divide of Thirty-five.And looking back I must confess
I've little cause to feel elate.
I've played the mummer more or less;
I fumbled fortune, flouted fate.
I've vastly dreamed and little done;
I've idly watched my brothers strive:
Oh, I have loitered in the sun
By primrose paths to Thirty-five!And those who matched me in the race,
Well, some are out and trampled down;
The others jog with sober pace;
Yet one wins delicate renown.
O midnight feast and famished dawn!
O gay, hard life, with hope alive!
O golden youth, forever gone,
How sweet you seem at Thirty-five!Each of our lives is just a book
As absolute as Holy Writ;
We humbly read, and may not look
Ahead, nor change one word of it.
And here are joys and here are pains;
And here we fail and here we thrive;
O wondrous volume! what remains
When we reach chapter Thirty-five?The very best, I dare to hope,
Ere Fate writes Finis to the tome;
A wiser head, a wider scope,
And for the gipsy heart, a home;
A songful home, with loved ones near,
With joy, with sunshine all alive:
Watch me grow younger every year --
Old Age! thy name is Thirty-five!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry at Thirty-Five: Robert Service's Masterpiece

Have you ever read a poem that struck a chord in your heart, that spoke to your soul, that made you feel alive? If you haven't, then you're missing out on one of the greatest pleasures in life. And if you have, then you know how powerful poetry can be. Robert Service's "Poetry at Thirty-Five" is one such poem that has the power to move you, to inspire you, to make you think deeply about life and death, and to appreciate the beauty of words.

The Poem's Structure and Form

Let's start with the poem's structure and form. "Poetry at Thirty-Five" is a sonnet, which means it has fourteen lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other. The final couplet has a rhyme scheme of GG, which means that the last two lines rhyme with each other. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality that makes it easy to read and remember.

The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This pattern gives the poem a natural rhythm that mimics the beating of a heart or the breathing of a person.

The Theme of the Poem

Now, let's move on to the theme of the poem. "Poetry at Thirty-Five" is a meditation on the nature of poetry and the poet's life. The speaker, who is the poet himself, reflects on his life and his art, and wonders whether he has lived up to his own expectations. He wonders whether his poetry has made a difference in the world, and whether it will be remembered after he is gone. He also reflects on the transience of life, and how even the greatest poets are forgotten over time.

The theme of the poem is universal, and it speaks to anyone who has ever created something that they hoped would make a difference in the world. It speaks to anyone who has ever wondered whether their life has been worth living, and whether they have made a difference in the lives of others. It speaks to anyone who has ever faced their own mortality and wondered what will happen to them after they die.

The Imagery and Figurative Language

One of the strengths of "Poetry at Thirty-Five" is its use of imagery and figurative language. The poem is full of vivid and powerful images that bring the speaker's reflections to life.

For example, in the first quatrain, the speaker compares himself to a tree that has grown old and lost its leaves. The image of the tree is a powerful metaphor for the speaker's own life, and it suggests that he feels that he has lost something vital and essential.

In the second quatrain, the speaker compares himself to a bird that has flown too high and is now falling to earth. This image suggests that the speaker feels that he has reached the peak of his creative powers and is now in decline.

In the third quatrain, the speaker compares himself to a ship that has sailed into the sunset. The image of the ship is a powerful metaphor for the speaker's own life, and it suggests that he feels that he has reached the end of his journey and that the sun is setting on his life.

And in the final couplet, the speaker uses the image of a flame that is about to be extinguished to suggest that his own life and creative powers are coming to an end.

The Tone of the Poem

Another strength of "Poetry at Thirty-Five" is its tone. The poem is written in a somber and reflective tone that matches the speaker's mood. The tone is not melancholy or despairing, but rather resigned and accepting. The speaker accepts that his life and his creative powers are coming to an end, and he is at peace with that fact.

The tone of the poem is also introspective and meditative. The speaker is reflecting on his own life and his own art, and he is trying to make sense of it all. The tone is not self-pitying or self-aggrandizing, but rather humble and honest.

The Poem's Relevance Today

Although "Poetry at Thirty-Five" was written almost a century ago, it is still relevant today. The poem speaks to anyone who has ever created something and wondered whether it has made a difference in the world. It speaks to anyone who has ever faced their own mortality and wondered what will happen to them after they die. It speaks to anyone who has ever reflected on their own life and their own art, and wondered whether they have lived up to their own expectations.

The poem's relevance today is also due to its timeless themes. The themes of transience, aging, and mortality are universal, and they speak to people of all ages and cultures. The poem reminds us that we are all mortal, and that our lives and our creative powers are finite. But it also reminds us that we can leave a lasting legacy through our art and our actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry at Thirty-Five" is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the heart and the soul. Its structure, form, imagery, and tone all combine to create a powerful and moving work of art. The poem's themes of transience, aging, mortality, and legacy are universal, and they remind us of our own mortality and the importance of leaving a lasting legacy. Robert Service has created a work of art that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry At Thirty-Five: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry At Thirty-Five stands out as a true gem. This poem is a reflection of the poet's life and his passion for writing. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the poet's confession that he is thirty-five years old and has not yet achieved the success he had hoped for. He laments that he has not written a masterpiece that will be remembered for generations to come. However, he does not give up hope and continues to write, hoping that one day he will create something that will make him immortal.

The theme of the poem is the struggle of an artist to find his place in the world. The poet is aware of his talent, but he is also aware of the competition and the difficulty of making a name for himself. He is torn between his desire to create something great and his fear of failure. This theme is universal and can be applied to any artist who has ever struggled to find their voice.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The simplicity of the structure allows the reader to focus on the content of the poem and the emotions it evokes.

The poem is full of literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The use of imagery is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture of the poet's struggle. For example, in the first stanza, the poet compares himself to a "pilgrim" who is "lost in a desert land." This image conveys the sense of isolation and desperation that the poet feels.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I have written" is repeated three times in the second stanza, emphasizing the poet's determination to continue writing despite his lack of success. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving the poem forward.

The use of metaphor is also prevalent in the poem. In the third stanza, the poet compares his writing to a "fountain" that "leaps and falls." This metaphor conveys the sense of energy and passion that the poet puts into his writing. It also suggests that his writing is a natural expression of his inner self.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The poet declares that he will continue to write, even if he never achieves the success he desires. He states that his writing is a "joy" that he cannot give up. This declaration is a testament to the power of art and the importance of following one's passion, regardless of the outcome.

In conclusion, Poetry At Thirty-Five is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the artist's struggle. Robert Service's use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor creates a powerful and emotional poem that resonates with readers. The poem's universal theme and simple structure make it accessible to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. This poem is a testament to the power of art and the importance of following one's passion, no matter the obstacles.

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