'The Anniversary' by Robert Service

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Carols of an Old Codger"This bunch of violets," he said,"Is for my daughter dear.
Since that glad morn when she was wedIt is today a year.
She lives atop this flight of stairs--Please give an arm to me:
If we can take her unawaresHow glad she'll be!"We climbed the stairs; the flight was four,Our steps were stiff and slow;
But as he reached his daughter's doorHis eyes were all aglow.
Joylike he raised his hand to knock,Then sore distressed was I,
For from the silence like a shockI heard a cry.A drunken curse, a sob of woe . . .His withered face grew grey.
"I think," said he, "we'd better goAnd come another day."
And as he went a block with me,Walking with weary feet,
His violets, I sighed to see,Bestrewed the street.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Anniversary by Robert Service: A Celebration of Love and Longing

As I sit down to write about Robert Service's "The Anniversary," I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. This classic poem is a celebration of love and longing, a tribute to the enduring power of true affection. With its vivid imagery, stirring language, and heartfelt emotion, "The Anniversary" is a work of art that speaks directly to the heart.

At its core, "The Anniversary" is a love poem, but it is also much more than that. Through its depiction of a long and enduring relationship, the poem explores the depth and complexity of human emotion, revealing the joys and sorrows, the hopes and fears, that all of us experience in our own lives. It is a testament to the power of love to sustain us through even the darkest moments, and a reminder that, no matter how long we are apart, love will always find a way to bring us back together.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his "dearest" and expressing his regret that they are unable to be together on their anniversary. He speaks of the "wild winter weather" that keeps them apart, but assures his beloved that their love is strong enough to overcome any obstacle:

Though storms are howling through the night, And cold and chill are in the air, We'll drink our cup of warmth and light To Love, to Life, to you and me, my dear.

This opening stanza sets the tone for the poem, establishing the theme of love's enduring strength and resilience. The speaker's words are full of hope and optimism, even in the face of adversity, and his determination to celebrate their anniversary no matter what sets the stage for the rest of the poem.

As the poem continues, the speaker takes us on a journey through the years of their relationship, recounting the moments of joy and sadness that they have shared. He speaks of the "silver threads of hair" that have come with age, but notes that their love has only grown stronger with time:

For fifty years and more we've been Companions in the ways of life, And though we're old and gray and lean, Love's flame still burns with ruddy strife.

Here, the speaker uses powerful imagery to convey the passage of time and the changes that have come with it. But even as he acknowledges their age and the physical toll that time has taken on them, he also emphasizes the enduring nature of their love. The flame may burn more dimly now, but it still burns true, a testament to the depth and strength of their affection.

Throughout the poem, Service employs a variety of literary devices to enhance its emotional impact. The use of alliteration, for example, in lines like "wild winter weather" and "silver threads of hair," helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's beauty. The repetition of the phrase "my dear" also serves to underscore the speaker's affection for his beloved, while the use of metaphor and personification helps to bring the poem's imagery to life.

Perhaps most striking, however, is the poem's use of contrast. Service juxtaposes images of darkness and cold with those of warmth and light, of loneliness and isolation with those of companionship and togetherness. This contrast serves to heighten the emotional impact of the poem, emphasizing the power and importance of love in the face of adversity.

In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker once again expresses his regret that they are unable to be together on their anniversary, but also acknowledges the strength of their love:

So here's to you, my love, my life, The one who's shared my every day; And though today there's storm and strife, Love holds us close, come what may.

With these closing lines, Service brings the poem full circle, reiterating the theme of love's enduring strength and resilience. Despite the storm and strife that keeps them apart, the speaker's love for his beloved remains as strong as ever, a testament to the power of true affection.

In conclusion, "The Anniversary" is a classic poem that speaks directly to the heart. Through its vivid imagery, stirring language, and heartfelt emotion, it celebrates the enduring power of love to sustain us through even the darkest moments. Service's use of literary devices such as contrast, metaphor, and personification serve to enhance the poem's emotional impact, creating a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary yourself or simply seeking a moment of reflection on the power of love, "The Anniversary" is a poem that is sure to touch your heart and inspire your soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Anniversary: A Poem of Love and Longing

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his masterful use of language and imagery. His poems have touched the hearts of millions of readers, and one of his most beloved works is "The Anniversary." This poem is a beautiful tribute to love and the longing that comes with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about a past love. He remembers the day they met, and how they fell in love. He describes the beauty of their relationship, and how they were inseparable. However, as time passed, they grew apart, and the speaker was left alone with his memories. He longs for the past, and wishes he could go back to the time when they were together.

The theme of love is central to this poem. The speaker's love for his past partner is evident throughout the poem. He describes their relationship as "a flame that burned so bright," and he longs to relive those moments. However, the poem also explores the pain that comes with love. The speaker is left alone, and he feels the emptiness of his life without his partner. This theme of love and loss is universal, and it is what makes this poem so relatable.

The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of repetition is also prevalent in the poem. The phrase "Oh, love that we knew" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's longing for the past. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of rhythm, which adds to the musicality of the poem.

The use of literary devices is also masterful in this poem. The imagery used by the speaker is vivid and evocative. He describes their love as a flame that burned so bright, and he compares it to the stars in the sky. These images create a sense of wonder and beauty, and they help to convey the depth of the speaker's love. The use of metaphor is also prevalent in the poem. The speaker compares his love to a flower that has withered away, emphasizing the pain of loss.

The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The speaker's words are filled with emotion, and they convey the depth of his love and longing. The use of repetition and imagery adds to the beauty of the poem, and it creates a sense of nostalgia that is both poignant and relatable.

In conclusion, "The Anniversary" is a beautiful tribute to love and the longing that comes with it. The poem explores the themes of love and loss, and it does so with masterful use of language and imagery. The structure of the poem is musical, and the use of repetition adds to its beauty. The poem is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a poet, and it is a timeless work that will continue to touch the hearts of readers for generations to come.

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