'Resignation' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsI'd hate to be centipede (of legs I've only two),
For if new trousers I should need (as oftentimes I do),
The bill would come to such a lot 'twould tax an Astorbilt,
Or else I'd have to turn a Scot and caper in a kilt.I'm jolly glad I haven't got a neck like a giraffe.
I'd want to tie it in a knot and shorten it by half.
or, as I wear my collars high, how laundry men would gloat!
And what a lot of beer I'd buy to lubricate my throat!I'd hate to be a goldfish, snooping round a crystal globe,
A naughty little bold fish, that distains chemise of robe.
The public stare I couldn't bear, if naked as a stone,
And when my toilet I prepare, I'd rather be alone.I'd hate to be an animal, an insect or a fish.
To be the least like bird or beast I've not the slightest wish.
It's best I find to be resigned, and stick to Nature's plan:
Content am I to live and die, just - Ordinary MAN.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Robert Service's "Resignation": A Reflection on Life's Inevitable End

Have you ever wondered what it means to resign oneself to the inevitability of life's end? Or how one might come to terms with the prospect of death? For Robert Service, a poet known for his ballads of the Canadian wilderness and its people, these questions were a recurrent theme. In his poem "Resignation," Service reflects on the nature of death and the human desire for immortality. Through his use of vivid imagery, striking metaphors, and a hauntingly beautiful rhyme scheme, Service crafts a poem that invites readers to consider the fragility and beauty of life.

At first glance, "Resignation" appears to be a simple poem about the acceptance of death. The speaker begins by describing a scene of natural beauty: "The forest stretched serene and far, / All hushed and still and fair." Yet, despite the tranquility of the forest, the speaker is haunted by the knowledge that all life must come to an end: "The winds were like a sigh of care, / A whisper of despair." Here, Service sets the tone for the rest of the poem: despite the beauty of nature, there is a sense of sadness and resignation that permeates everything.

As the poem continues, the speaker laments the fleeting nature of life. He reflects on how quickly time passes, and how easily we can be forgotten: "Our puny works and mortal deeds / Are lost in mist and shade." Even the most ambitious and accomplished among us will eventually fade away, leaving nothing but a memory that will eventually be forgotten. This realization leaves the speaker feeling despondent and defeated: "The very thought bewilders me, / And fills my soul with gloom."

Yet, despite these moments of despair, the poem is ultimately one of acceptance and resignation. The speaker acknowledges that death is an inevitable part of life, and that there is no escaping it: "All things must pass, and all must go, / The very suns grow old." In this way, Service reminds us that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and that there is a certain beauty and grace to be found in accepting our mortality.

What is most striking about "Resignation," however, is the way in which Service uses language to convey his message. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that elevate the language beyond a mere description of the speaker's feelings. For example, Service describes the wind as "a sigh of care" and "a whisper of despair," suggesting that even nature itself shares in the speaker's sadness. Later, he compares our lives to "a bubble on a stream," highlighting the fleeting nature of our existence. These metaphors are not only evocative, but they also create a sense of unity between the speaker and the natural world.

Similarly, the poem's rhyme scheme and meter contribute to its overall effect. Service uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme throughout the poem, but he varies the meter to create a sense of tension and release. For example, in the following lines, the short, staccato beat of the first two lines gives way to the more languid, drawn-out rhythm of the last two lines:

The forest stretched serene and far,
All hushed and still and fair;
The winds were like a sigh of care,
A whisper of despair.

This variation in meter serves to emphasize the speaker's shifting emotions, creating a sense of movement and progression throughout the poem.

In conclusion, Robert Service's "Resignation" is a beautiful meditation on the nature of life and death. Through his use of vivid imagery, striking metaphors, and a hauntingly beautiful rhyme scheme, Service creates a poem that invites readers to consider the fragility and beauty of life. Although the poem is ultimately one of acceptance and resignation, there is a sense of hopefulness in the way that Service acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things. Ultimately, "Resignation" serves as a reminder that, despite our mortality, there is a certain grace and beauty to be found in our brief time here on earth.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Resignation: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his works. His poem, Poetry Resignation, is a masterpiece that reflects the struggles of a poet who has lost his passion for writing. The poem is a powerful reflection of the creative process and the challenges that come with it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the poet expressing his resignation from the world of poetry. He says, "I, too, must bid farewell to rhyme and meter." The use of the word "too" suggests that he is not the only one who has given up on poetry. The poet then goes on to explain the reasons for his resignation. He says that he has lost his passion for writing and that the words no longer flow from his pen as they once did. He says, "The words no longer come, my pen is dry."

The poem then takes a turn as the poet reflects on the beauty of poetry and the joy it once brought him. He says, "Oh, how I loved the magic of the word, the melody of rhyme." This line is particularly powerful as it shows the reader the depth of the poet's love for poetry. He goes on to describe the joy he felt when he wrote, saying, "How sweet it was to feel the surge of song, the rapture of the rhyme." The use of the words "surge" and "rapture" suggests that writing poetry was a deeply emotional experience for the poet.

The poem then takes another turn as the poet reflects on the challenges of writing poetry. He says, "But now the task is hard, the burden great." This line suggests that writing poetry is not an easy task and that it requires a great deal of effort and dedication. The poet then goes on to describe the frustration he feels when he cannot find the right words. He says, "I seek in vain for phrases fair and fine, for words that sing and shine." This line is particularly powerful as it shows the reader the struggle that the poet faces when trying to write.

The poem then takes a final turn as the poet reflects on the legacy of his work. He says, "But though I lay my pen aside, my verse will never die." This line suggests that even though the poet has given up on writing, his work will live on. The poem ends with the poet expressing his gratitude for the joy that poetry has brought him. He says, "And I am glad that I have lived to see the beauty of the world, and to have sung my songs."

In conclusion, Poetry Resignation is a powerful reflection of the creative process and the challenges that come with it. The poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the struggles that we all face. Robert Service's ability to convey the depth of the poet's love for poetry and the frustration that comes with writing is truly remarkable. The poem is a testament to the power of words and the impact that they can have on our lives.

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