'The Ghosts' by Robert Service
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Said Lenin's ghost to Stalin's ghost:
"Mate with me in the Tomb;
Then day by day the rancid host
May gaze upon our doom.
A crystal casket we will share;
Come, crusty Comrade come,
And we will bear the public stare,
Ad nauseum."
Said Stalin's spook to Lenin's spook:
"Long have you held your place.
The masses must be bored to look
Upon your chemic face.
A change might be a good idear,
And though I pity you,
There is within the Tomb, I fear,
No room for two."
Said Lenin's wraith to Stalin's wraith:
"You're welcome to my job;
Let millions of our mighty faith
Gaze on your noble nob.
So when to goodly earth I've gone,
(And I'll be glad to go),
Your carrion can carry on
Our waxwork show."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ghosts: A Haunting Poem by Robert Service
Are you a fan of spooky tales and eerie stories that send chills down your spine? Then, you must read The Ghosts, a classic poem by Robert Service that captures the essence of the supernatural in a way that few others can. With its haunting imagery, vivid descriptions, and ghostly atmosphere, this poem has stood the test of time and remains a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate readers.
Background and Context
Before delving into the poem itself, let us take a moment to understand the background and context in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was known for his ballads and poems that celebrated the rugged life of the pioneers and adventurers who settled in the Canadian West. Service's poetry was immensely popular in his time, and he was often referred to as the "Bard of the Yukon."
The Ghosts was first published in Service's 1907 collection, "Ballads of a Cheechako," which was inspired by his experiences in the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush. The poem tells the story of a man who wanders into an abandoned cabin in the woods and encounters the ghosts of its former inhabitants. The poem is set against the backdrop of the harsh Canadian wilderness, which adds to its eerie and mystical atmosphere.
Literary Analysis
Now, let us turn our attention to a detailed analysis of the poem itself. The Ghosts is a narrative poem that tells a story in a series of stanzas that are rich in imagery and symbolism. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a sing-song quality that is reminiscent of traditional ballads. However, Service's use of language and imagery elevates the poem beyond mere folk poetry and turns it into a work of literary art.
The poem begins with a description of the setting, which is a cabin in the woods:
The ghosts of the dead men
Who came back on earth to walk,
With their bones all a-jangle
And the mould upon their stalk,
Are telling of their visions
And the visions that they saw
Ere they crumbled into ashes
And returned unto the Law.
Notice how Service uses language to create a vivid image of the ghosts as they "jangle" their bones and walk "upon their stalk." This image is both eerie and poetic, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the poem continues, we learn that the narrator has stumbled upon this cabin in the woods and decides to spend the night. However, as he tries to sleep, he is disturbed by the sounds of the ghosts who haunt the cabin. The ghosts are described in great detail, and their appearance is both grotesque and fascinating:
Mein Gott! but they were gruesome,
With their faces all a-gleam,
And their eyes like rain on midnight,
And their voices like a scream;
And they talked of one another
And of things that once had been,
With a horror and a hatred
That made me quake within.
The use of German ("Mein Gott!") in this stanza adds to the Gothic atmosphere of the poem and reinforces the idea of the supernatural. The description of the ghosts' appearance is also notable, as Service uses language to create a sense of disgust ("gruesome") and fear ("a scream"). However, he also imbues the ghosts with a sense of mystery and intrigue, as they talk about "things that once had been" in a way that captivates the narrator.
As the poem progresses, the ghosts continue to haunt the narrator, and he begins to feel a sense of unease and fear. However, he also begins to feel a sense of empathy for the ghosts, as he realizes that they are trapped in a state of limbo, unable to move on from their earthly existence:
And I felt in them a sorrow
That was strange and pitiful,
And a yearning, vast and holy,
That no tongue may ever tell.
For they seemed like men a-waiting
For the dawn to lift the night,
And to lead them from their darkness
To the regions of the light.
Notice how Service uses language to create a sense of compassion for the ghosts, as he describes their "sorrow" and "yearning" in a way that is both poignant and melancholic. The idea of waiting for the dawn to lift the night is also symbolic, as it represents the idea of waiting for redemption and liberation from one's suffering.
Towards the end of the poem, the narrator begins to question his own sanity, as he wonders if the ghosts are real or if they exist only in his mind:
And I heard my heart-beats drumming
And my brain began to reel,
And I wondered if the ghosts were
Just the children of my zeal;
And I wondered if in madness
I had stumbled on that place,
And had given to the shadows
All the features of the race.
This stanza is notable for its use of internal rhyme ("drumming" and "reel"), which gives the poem a musical quality. It also reflects the narrator's mental state, as he begins to question his own perception of reality.
The poem ends with the narrator fleeing from the cabin, unable to bear the haunting presence of the ghosts any longer. However, he also leaves behind a sense of wonder and mystery, as he contemplates the existence of the supernatural and the mysteries of life and death:
And I fled into the forest,
With my hands before my face,
And my thoughts were wild and whirling
Like the snowflakes in the race.
For I felt the dread of demons,
And a horror of the night,
And I knew the dead were near me,
And I longed for morning light.
The use of the natural world ("the snowflakes in the race") adds to the sense of chaos and confusion that the narrator is feeling, as he flees from the cabin. However, the poem also ends on a note of hope, as the narrator longs for the "morning light" and the promise of a new day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Ghosts is a haunting poem that captures the essence of the supernatural in a way that few others can. With its vivid imagery, Gothic atmosphere, and sense of mystery and wonder, this poem has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers. Robert Service's use of language and symbolism elevates the poem beyond mere folk poetry and turns it into a work of literary art that is both eerie and beautiful. So, if you're a fan of spooky tales and eerie stories, be sure to add The Ghosts to your reading list - you won't be disappointed!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ghosts by Robert Service is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. It is a haunting tale of the ghosts of soldiers who died in battle, and their eternal search for peace. The poem is a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the lasting impact it has on those who fight in it.
The poem begins with a description of the ghosts of soldiers who died in battle. They are described as "phantoms" who wander the earth, searching for peace. The imagery used in the poem is haunting and vivid, with descriptions of "shadowy hosts" and "ghostly battalions". The ghosts are portrayed as lost souls, doomed to wander the earth forever.
As the poem progresses, the ghosts are shown to be searching for something. They are looking for a way to find peace and rest, but they are unable to do so. The imagery used in this section of the poem is particularly powerful, with descriptions of "weary feet" and "aching hearts". The ghosts are shown to be in a state of perpetual agony, unable to find the peace they so desperately seek.
The poem then takes a turn, as the ghosts are shown to be searching for something more specific. They are looking for the graves of their fallen comrades, so that they can pay their respects and find some solace. The imagery used in this section of the poem is particularly poignant, with descriptions of "broken crosses" and "mounds of clay". The ghosts are shown to be deeply affected by the loss of their comrades, and their search for their graves is a testament to the bond that exists between soldiers.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The ghosts are shown to be unable to find the graves of their fallen comrades, and they are left to wander the earth forever. The imagery used in this section of the poem is particularly haunting, with descriptions of "eternal night" and "endless pain". The ghosts are shown to be trapped in a state of perpetual agony, unable to find the peace they so desperately seek.
The Ghosts is a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the lasting impact it has on those who fight in it. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make, and the toll that war takes on them. It is a haunting and poignant work that has stood the test of time, and continues to resonate with readers today.
Overall, The Ghosts is a powerful and moving poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it. The imagery used in the poem is haunting and vivid, and the message it conveys is one that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. Robert Service has created a masterpiece that is sure to be remembered for generations to come.
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