'An Olive Fire' by Robert Service


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Songs of a Sun-LoverAn olive fire's a lovely thing;
Somehow it makes me think of Spring
As in my grate it over-spills
With dancing flames like daffodils.
They flirt and frolic, twist and twine,
The brassy fire-irons wink and shine. . . .
Leap gold, you flamelets! Laugh and sing:
An olive fire's a lovely thing.An olive fire's a household shrine:
A crusty loaf, a jug of wine,
An apple and a chunk of cheese -
Oh I could be content with these.
But if my curse of oil is there,
To fry a fresh-caught fish, I swear
I do not envy any king,
As sitting by my hearth I sing:
An olive fire's a lovely thing.When old and worn, of life I tire,
I'll sit before an olive fire,
And watch the feather ash like snow
As softly as a rose heart glow;
The tawny roots will loose their hoard
Of sunbeams centuries have stored,
And flames like yellow chicken's cheep,
Till in my heart Peace is so deep:
With hands prayer-clasped I sleep . . . and sleep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"An Olive Fire" by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship

"An Olive Fire" is one of the most beautiful and captivating poems ever written by Robert Service, the legendary poet who made a name for himself by chronicling the lives and struggles of the pioneers, miners, and adventurers who settled in the wild and rugged landscapes of the North. In this poem, Service masterfully evokes the raw beauty and power of nature, the joys and sorrows of love, and the inevitability of death and loss, all with his trademark wit, humor, and lyrical prowess.

The poem begins with a simple, yet striking image of an olive fire burning in the hearth, casting a warm and inviting glow that beckons the speaker to come closer and bask in its warmth. The use of the color olive, a symbol of peace, hope, and vitality, creates a sense of comfort and safety, as if the fire is a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding the speaker through the stormy seas of life.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the many trials and tribulations he has faced in his life and how the fire has been a constant companion and source of solace. He recalls the times when he was lost in the wilderness, frozen and hungry, with nothing but his faith and the fire to keep him alive. He also remembers the joys of love and companionship, and how the fire has kindled the flames of passion and desire in his heart.

But the poem is not just a nostalgic recollection of the past; it also speaks to the present and the future, and the inevitability of change and loss. The speaker acknowledges that everything in life is transient and fleeting, that nothing lasts forever, not even the fire. He muses on the prospect of death and how the fire will one day go out, leaving him alone and cold.

Yet, even in the face of such inevitability, the speaker finds solace and comfort in the knowledge that the fire has left its mark on him, that it has transformed him and made him who he is today. He recognizes that the fire is not just a physical entity but a metaphorical one too, a symbol of the trials and tribulations that have shaped his character and made him stronger.

In the final stanza, Service brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the olive fire burning in the hearth. But this time, the speaker sees the fire not just as a source of warmth and comfort, but as a symbol of hope and renewal. He sees the potential for new flames to be kindled, for new adventures to be undertaken, and for new memories to be made.

Overall, "An Olive Fire" is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship, a testament to Service's skill as a wordsmith and storyteller. It is a poem that speaks to the universal themes of life and death, love and loss, hope and despair, and does so in a way that is both deeply personal and profoundly relatable. It is a poem that invites us to reflect on our own lives and the fires that have burned within us, and to appreciate them for the warmth and light they have provided.

In conclusion, Robert Service's "An Olive Fire" is a true gem of poetic literature, one that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come. Its enduring beauty and timeless wisdom make it a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, nature, and the human spirit. So, go ahead, light your own olive fire, and let the flames of inspiration and creativity burn bright within you. Who knows what wonders they will lead you to?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that does all of this and more is "An Olive Fire" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem "An Olive Fire" is a love poem that describes the intense passion between two lovers. The poem begins with the speaker describing the fire that burns within him, comparing it to an olive fire. The olive fire is a metaphor for the passion that the speaker feels for his lover. The olive fire is a unique type of fire that burns slowly and steadily, just like the passion that the speaker feels for his lover. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of his lover, comparing her to a rose. The rose is a symbol of love and beauty, and the speaker's comparison of his lover to a rose highlights her beauty and the depth of his love for her.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The musical quality of the poem adds to its romantic nature and makes it a pleasure to read. The poem's structure is simple, yet effective, as it allows the reader to focus on the words and the emotions they evoke.

The poem is full of literary devices that add to its beauty and depth. One such device is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the passion he feels for his lover. For example, he describes the olive fire as "a flame that's never fanned," which creates a powerful image of a fire that burns steadily and never goes out. The speaker also uses imagery to describe his lover, comparing her to a rose. The image of a rose is a powerful symbol of love and beauty, and the speaker's comparison of his lover to a rose highlights her beauty and the depth of his love for her.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The olive fire is a metaphor for the passion that the speaker feels for his lover. The olive fire is a unique type of fire that burns slowly and steadily, just like the passion that the speaker feels for his lover. The use of metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to interpret it in different ways.

The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The phrase "olive fire" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and emphasizing the importance of the metaphor. The repetition of the phrase "olive fire" also creates a sense of rhythm, making the poem flow smoothly and adding to its musical quality.

The poem's themes are love, passion, and desire. The speaker's passion for his lover is evident throughout the poem, and his desire for her is palpable. The poem celebrates the beauty of love and the intensity of passion, highlighting the power of these emotions to transform our lives.

In conclusion, "An Olive Fire" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. The poem's structure, literary devices, and themes all work together to create a masterpiece that is both romantic and profound. Robert Service's use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis that adds to the poem's musical quality. The poem's themes of love, passion, and desire are universal, making it a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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