'My Hour' by Robert Service

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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 3)Day after day behold me plying
My pen within an office drear;
The dullest dog, till homeward hieing,
Then lo! I reign a king of cheer.
A throne have I of padded leather,
A little court of kiddies three,
A wife who smiles whate'er the weather,
A feast of muffins, jam and tea.The table cleared, a romping battle,
A fairy tale, a "Children, bed,"
A kiss, a hug, a hush of prattle
(God save each little drowsy head!)
A cozy chat with wife a-sewing,
A silver lining clouds that low'r,
Then she too goes, and with her going,
I come again into my Hour.I poke the fire, I snugly settle,
My pipe I prime with proper care;
The water's purring in the kettle,
Rum, lemon, sugar, all are there.
And now the honest grog is steaming,
And now the trusty briar's aglow:
Alas! in smoking, drinking, dreaming,
How sadly swift the moments go!Oh, golden hour! 'twixt love and duty,
All others I to others give;
But you are mine to yield to Beauty,
To glean Romance, to greatly live.
For in my easy-chair reclining . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Hour: An Analysis of Robert Service's Poem

Are we truly living in the present moment or are we always looking towards the future? What happens when we finally take the time to appreciate the present and all its beauty? These are some of the questions that Robert Service's poem, "My Hour," explores. In this 36-line poem, Service reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living in the present. The poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to capture complex emotions with simple, yet powerful words.

Overview of "My Hour"

"My Hour" is a poem that captures the essence of a single moment in time. In this moment, the speaker is sitting on a hill, surrounded by nature, and reflecting on his life. He thinks about all of the things he has done and all of the things he has left undone. He realizes that he has wasted much of his life worrying about the future and neglecting the present. However, in this moment, he finally understands the beauty of the present and the importance of living in the moment.

The poem is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene and describes the speaker's surroundings. The second stanza is where the speaker reflects on his life and the mistakes he has made. The third stanza is where the speaker comes to a realization about the present moment and its importance.

Analysis of "My Hour"

The Importance of Nature

Service begins the poem by describing the speaker's surroundings. The speaker is sitting on a hill, surrounded by nature. The first line of the poem, "A cup of tea, with friends to see," sets a peaceful and relaxed tone. The speaker is not alone; he is with friends. However, it is the mention of the "grassy hill" and the "valley fair" that really sets the scene.

The image of a "grassy hill" immediately brings to mind an idyllic setting. It is a place where one can relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. The mention of the "valley fair" only adds to this picture. This is a place that is untouched by humans and is therefore pure and unspoiled.

Service's use of nature in this poem is important for several reasons. First, it sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is in a peaceful and beautiful setting, which immediately gives the reader a sense of calm. Second, nature is used as a symbol for the present moment. The speaker is surrounded by nature, which is a reminder to live in the moment and appreciate the present.

Reflection on Life

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on his life. He thinks about all of the things he has done and all of the things he has left undone. He realizes that he has spent much of his life worrying about the future and neglecting the present.

The line, "I've fought and lost and won," is particularly interesting. It suggests that the speaker has lived a full life. He has experienced both success and failure. However, the use of "lost" before "won" suggests that the speaker has experienced more failure than success. This is reinforced by the line, "I've toiled and dreamed and plodded on." The use of "plodded on" suggests that the speaker has had to work hard for everything he has achieved.

The use of the word "blundered" in the next line is also significant. It suggests that the speaker has made mistakes in his life. However, the use of "tried" before "blundered" suggests that the speaker has at least attempted to do something. This is important because it shows that the speaker has not given up on life. Even though he has made mistakes, he has still tried to live his life to the fullest.

Living in the Present

The third stanza is where the speaker comes to a realization about the present moment and its importance. The line, "But now I see the sunlit way," suggests that the speaker has finally seen the light. He has finally realized the importance of living in the present.

The image of the "shimmering sea" is particularly interesting. It suggests that the speaker has a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world. The use of "shimmering" suggests that the sea is alive and vibrant. This is a reminder to the reader to appreciate the beauty of the world around them.

The final two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The use of "my hour" suggests that the speaker has finally found his moment. He has finally found the time to appreciate the present and all its beauty. The use of "now" before "I will be content" suggests that the speaker is finally at peace. He has finally found the contentment that has eluded him for so long.

Conclusion

"My Hour" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of a single moment in time. Through the use of nature and reflection on life, Service encourages the reader to appreciate the present and live life to the fullest. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should take the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

In conclusion, "My Hour" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Its simplicity and power make it a poem that is both accessible and profound. It is a reminder to us all that life is short and that we should take the time to appreciate the present moment.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry My Hour: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the name Robert Service. He is a renowned poet who has left an indelible mark in the world of literature. Among his many works, one that stands out is "My Hour," a poem that captures the essence of life and the fleeting nature of time. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.

The poem "My Hour" is a reflection on the brevity of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have. The poet uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the passing of time. He starts by describing the beauty of the morning, with the sun shining and the birds singing. However, he quickly reminds us that this beauty is fleeting, and soon the day will turn to night. He says, "The morning glory fades too soon, / The dewdrops kiss the rose, / And then they waken to the sun, / And vanish with its glows."

The poet then goes on to describe the passing of the seasons, from the beauty of spring to the harshness of winter. He reminds us that time waits for no one and that we must make the most of the time we have. He says, "The seasons come, the seasons go, / The earth is green or snow, / But time and tide will wait for none, / Time waits for no man, you know."

The poem's structure is simple, with four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The simplicity of the structure allows the poet to focus on the message of the poem, which is the importance of time.

The poet uses several literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. He uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sense of beauty and transience. For example, he describes the morning glory fading too soon and the dewdrops kissing the rose before vanishing with the sun's glows. These images create a sense of fleeting beauty that is both captivating and melancholic.

Another literary device used by the poet is repetition. He repeats the phrase "my hour" throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of time. The repetition creates a sense of urgency, reminding us that time is precious and that we must make the most of it.

The poet also uses personification to give life to nature. He describes the seasons as coming and going, as if they have a life of their own. This personification creates a sense of continuity and reminds us that life is cyclical.

In conclusion, "My Hour" is a masterpiece by Robert Service that captures the essence of life and the fleeting nature of time. The poem's simple structure and musical quality allow the poet to focus on the message of the poem, which is the importance of time. The vivid imagery, repetition, and personification used by the poet create a sense of beauty and urgency that is both captivating and thought-provoking. As we read this poem, we are reminded that time waits for no one and that we must make the most of the time we have.

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