'Retired' by Robert Service


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Lyrics of a Low BrowI used to sing, when I was young,
The joy of idleness;
But now I'm grey I hold my tongue,
For frankly I confess
If I had not some job to do
I would be bored to death;
So I must toil until I'm through
With this asthmatic breath.Where others slothfully would broodbeg for little chores,
To peel potatoes, chop the wood,
And even scrub the floors.
When slightly useful I can be,
I'm happy as a bboy;
Dish-washing is a boon to me,
And brushing boots a joy.The young folks tell me: "Grandpa, please,
Don't be so manual;
You certainly have earned your ease -
Why don't you rest a spell?"
Say I: I'll have a heap of rest
On my sepulchral shelf;
So now please let me do my bestTo justify myself."For one must strive or one will die,
And work's our dearest friend;
God meant it so, and that is why
I'll toil unto the end.
I thank the Lord I'm full of beans,
So let me heft a hoe,
And I will don my garden jeans
And help the beans to grow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Retired: A Masterpiece of Robert Service's Poetry

Robert Service is a well-known poet who is loved by many for his ability to capture the essence of humankind's struggles and triumphs through his poetry. His poem "Poetry, Retired" is a classic example of his skill and mastery of the craft. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's themes, symbolism, and literary devices to understand why "Poetry, Retired" is a masterpiece of Robert Service's poetry.

Overview of the poem

"Poetry, Retired" is a poem that tells a story of an old poet who has retired from writing poetry. The poem is written in four stanzas, each containing four lines. In the first stanza, the poet describes how he used to write poetry that was full of life and passion. In the second stanza, he talks about how he feels now that he has stopped writing. In the third stanza, he describes the beauty of nature and how it inspires him. Finally, in the fourth stanza, he reflects on his life and how his poetry will live on even after he is gone.

Themes

One of the central themes of the poem is the passage of time. The poet reflects on how he used to be full of life and passion when he wrote his poetry, but now he has grown old and retired. This theme is also evident in the way the poet describes nature in the third stanza. He talks about how the trees and rivers have been there for centuries and will continue to be there long after he is gone. This theme highlights the ephemeral nature of life and how everything eventually comes to an end.

Another theme of the poem is the power of poetry. The poet reflects on how his poetry will live on long after he is gone. This theme is evident in the fourth stanza, where the poet reflects on how his poetry will continue to inspire people even after he is no longer around to write. This theme highlights the timeless nature of poetry and how it can transcend time and space.

Symbolism

One of the symbols used in the poem is nature. The poet describes the beauty of nature and how it inspires him. This symbol highlights the power of nature to inspire and uplift us. The poet also uses the symbol of the river to represent the passage of time. The river has been there for centuries and will continue to be there long after the poet is gone. This symbol highlights the ephemeral nature of life and how everything eventually comes to an end.

Another symbol used in the poem is the poet's pen. The poet describes how he used to write with his pen and how it was once full of ink. This symbol represents the power of the poet's words to create something out of nothing. The poet's words were once full of life and passion, just like his pen was once full of ink.

Literary devices

One of the literary devices used in the poem is alliteration. The poet uses alliteration to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, the poet uses the phrase "piping passion" to create an alliterative effect. This phrase creates a musical quality to the poem and highlights the passion that the poet once had for writing poetry.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The poet repeats the phrase "I have retired" in the second stanza to emphasize the fact that he has stopped writing poetry. This repetition creates a sense of finality to the poem and highlights the theme of the passage of time.

Interpretation

"Poetry, Retired" is a poem that reflects on the ephemeral nature of life and the power of poetry to transcend time and space. The poet reflects on how he used to be full of life and passion when he wrote his poetry, but now he has grown old and retired. The poem highlights the passage of time and how everything eventually comes to an end. However, the poet also reflects on how his poetry will live on long after he is gone. This highlights the timeless nature of poetry and how it can transcend time and space.

The symbols used in the poem, such as nature and the poet's pen, highlight the power of poetry to inspire and create something out of nothing. The use of literary devices, such as alliteration and repetition, creates a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the themes of the poem.

In conclusion, "Poetry, Retired" is a masterpiece of Robert Service's poetry. The poem reflects on the ephemeral nature of life and the power of poetry to transcend time and space. The use of symbols and literary devices creates a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes its themes. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift us, even in the face of the passage of time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Retired: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his unique style and captivating words. His poem, "Poetry Retired," is a masterpiece that speaks to the heart of every reader. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "I've retired from writing poetry." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The speaker goes on to explain that he has retired because he has "nothing more to say." This statement is significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes, as writers, we can feel as though we have exhausted all of our ideas and have nothing left to contribute.

The speaker then goes on to describe the feeling of retirement, stating that he is "free at last from rhyme and meter." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that writing poetry can be a restrictive and challenging process. The speaker is now free from these constraints and can write whatever he wants without worrying about structure or form.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on his past as a poet. He describes the joy he felt when his words were able to touch the hearts of others. He also reflects on the criticism he received and the times when his words fell flat. This reflection is significant because it highlights the idea that writing poetry is not always easy, and there will be times when we fail.

The speaker then goes on to describe the reasons why he has retired. He states that he has grown tired of the "endless striving" and the "constant need to create." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that writing poetry can be a draining and exhausting process. The speaker has reached a point where he no longer wants to put in the effort required to create something new.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on the beauty of nature. He describes the mountains, the rivers, and the trees, and how they are all "poetry in motion." This reflection is significant because it highlights the idea that poetry is not just something that is written on a page. It can be found in the world around us, in the beauty of nature and the everyday moments of life.

The speaker then goes on to describe how he will continue to appreciate poetry, even though he has retired from writing it. He states that he will "listen to the lark" and "watch the sunset glow." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that even though the speaker has retired from writing poetry, he will still find joy in the beauty of the world around him.

As the poem comes to a close, the speaker reflects on the legacy he will leave behind. He states that his words will live on, even though he has retired from writing. This reflection is significant because it highlights the idea that even though we may retire from writing, our words will continue to have an impact on the world.

Throughout the poem, Robert Service uses several literary devices to enhance the meaning and impact of his words. One of the most significant literary devices used in the poem is imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sense of beauty and wonder. For example, when he describes the mountains, he writes, "Their peaks are dreams, their slopes are streams." This line creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and helps to convey the beauty of the mountains.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Service repeats the phrase "I've retired from writing poetry" several times throughout the poem. This repetition helps to emphasize the speaker's decision to retire and creates a sense of finality.

Service also uses symbolism in the poem. The idea of retirement is symbolic of the end of a journey. The speaker has reached a point where he no longer wants to continue on the path he has been on. This symbolism helps to convey the speaker's feelings of exhaustion and the need for a change.

In conclusion, "Poetry Retired" is a masterpiece by Robert Service that speaks to the heart of every reader. The poem explores the idea of retirement from writing poetry and the feelings of exhaustion and the need for a change that can come with it. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, Service creates a powerful and moving poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.

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