'Old Bob' by Robert Service
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I guess folks think I'm mighty dumb
Since Jack and Jim and Joe
Have hit the trail to Kingdom Come
And left me here below:
Since Death, the bastard, bowled them out,
And left me faced with--Doubt.
My pals have all passed out on me
And I am by my lone;
Old Bill was last, and now I see
His name cut on a stone;
A marble slab, but not as fine
As I have picked for mine.
I nurse and curse rheumatic pain
As on the porch I sit;
With nothing special in my brain
I rock and smoke and spit:
When one is nearing to the end
One sorely needs a friend.
My Pals have gone,--in God's good earth
I guess they're packed up snug,
And since I have no guts for mirth
I zipper to my mug:
The question that I ponder on
Is--where the heck they've gone?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Old Bob: An Ode to the Unbreakable Spirit
Have you ever met someone who seems to embody the very essence of resilience? Someone who has weathered the storms of life, yet still stands tall, proud, and unbroken? That's Old Bob for you. Robert Service's classic poem, "Old Bob," is a tribute to this remarkable character, who, despite his age and physical disabilities, remains a symbol of strength and fortitude.
Overview
"Old Bob" is a poem that tells the story of a man who has lived a long and eventful life. He's seen the world change around him, lost loved ones, and suffered many hardships. Yet, he's still here, living on his own terms, and refusing to give up. The poem is structured as a series of vignettes, each one highlighting a different aspect of Old Bob's life. As we read these vignettes, we come to understand the depth of his character and the source of his strength.
Analysis
The poem begins with the lines:
I guess I've seen my share of toil and tears, And life's not easy as it nears the end; But easy ways and the soft way of years Can never be the way of any friend.
Right from the start, we get a sense of the speaker's perspective. He's someone who has lived a hard life, and he knows that it's not something that can be avoided. He also recognizes that there's something valuable in this hardness – that it's a sign of strength and friendship.
The next vignette introduces us to Old Bob himself:
Old Bob, he lived in our town With his old wife and his old gown.
These two lines are deceptively simple, but they give us a lot of information. First of all, we learn that Old Bob is married, and that his wife is also old. This gives us a sense of his age – he's likely in his seventies or eighties. We also get a sense of his humble lifestyle – he's not a wealthy man, and his clothes are probably threadbare. But despite this, there's something endearing about him. He's a part of the community, and people know him by name.
The next few vignettes tell us more about Old Bob's life. We learn that he's a veteran of the First World War, and that he's suffered a great deal of physical pain as a result of his service:
And he'd fought in the war in France, And he'd suffered wounds and a broken stance.
Despite this, Old Bob is not bitter or angry. He's still able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life:
But he'd sit in the sun with a bit of beer, And he'd whistle a tune for the kiddies near.
This is where we start to see the real heart of Old Bob's character. He's not a quitter. He's not someone who lets his pain and suffering consume him. Instead, he finds joy in the small things – in the sun on his face, in the taste of a cold beer, in the sound of children's laughter.
The most powerful vignette comes near the end of the poem, when a young man asks Old Bob for advice:
One morning a lad came up to him And he says: "I don't know what to do; I want to go to the city and swim, But I haven't the pluck to go it through."
Old Bob's response is simple, but profound:
"You want to go to the city and swim? Well, swim then, boy, with a will; And the way to swim is to sink or swim, And to never, never, never stand still."
This is the heart of the poem. Old Bob has lived a hard life, and he knows that there are no easy answers. But he also knows that the only way to succeed is to keep moving forward. To never give up, no matter how hard things get.
Interpretation
So what does this all mean? What is the poem trying to tell us? I think there are a few key themes here:
Resilience
The most obvious theme of the poem is resilience. Old Bob is a symbol of the unbreakable spirit – the idea that no matter how hard life gets, we can still find the strength to carry on. This is a message that's as relevant today as it was when the poem was written.
Persistence
Another important theme is persistence. Old Bob is not someone who gives up easily. He's faced a lot of hardship in his life, but he's still here, still fighting. This is a reminder to all of us that success is not always about being the smartest or the strongest. Sometimes it's just about having the grit to keep going.
Joy in the moment
Finally, there's the theme of joy in the moment. Old Bob is not a wealthy man, but he still finds happiness in the small things. He enjoys the sun on his face, the taste of a cold beer, the sound of children's laughter. This is a reminder to all of us that life is not just about achieving our goals. It's also about finding joy in the journey.
Conclusion
"Old Bob" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that reminds us of the value of resilience, persistence, and joy in the moment. It's a tribute to the unbreakable spirit of the human soul – the idea that no matter how hard things get, we can still find the strength to carry on. It's a message that's as relevant today as it was when the poem was written, and it's one that we would all do well to remember.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Old Bob: A Poem of Endurance and Perseverance
Robert Service’s Old Bob is a classic poem that tells the story of a horse that has been through a lot in its life. The poem is a testament to the endurance and perseverance of the animal, and it is a tribute to the bond that can exist between humans and their animal companions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, as well as the historical context in which it was written.
The poem begins with a description of Old Bob, a horse that has seen better days. The animal is old and worn out, with scars and blemishes on its body. Despite its age and condition, Old Bob is still a proud and noble creature, with a spirit that refuses to be broken. The poem describes the horse’s eyes as “deep and wise”, suggesting that it has seen a lot in its life and has learned from its experiences.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, establishing Old Bob as a symbol of endurance and resilience. The horse has been through a lot, but it has not given up. Instead, it has continued to persevere, even in the face of adversity. This theme of perseverance is central to the poem, and it is one that resonates with readers of all ages.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the bond between humans and animals. The speaker of the poem describes how Old Bob was once a prized possession, a horse that was loved and cared for by its owner. The horse was a source of pride and joy for its owner, and the two had a deep connection that went beyond words. This bond between humans and animals is a powerful one, and it is one that is explored throughout the poem.
The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn, describing how Old Bob was eventually sold to a cruel and abusive owner. The horse was mistreated and neglected, forced to work long hours and endure harsh conditions. Despite this mistreatment, Old Bob refused to give up. The horse continued to work hard and persevere, even when it seemed like there was no hope.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes how Old Bob was eventually rescued by a kind and compassionate owner. The horse was given a second chance at life, and it was able to live out its remaining years in peace and comfort. This happy ending is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of treating animals with kindness and compassion.
Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery to bring Old Bob to life. The horse is described as having “a coat like a dusty rug”, “a tail like a rusty mop”, and “a mane like a tattered fringe”. These descriptions paint a vivid picture of a horse that has been through a lot in its life. Despite its rough exterior, however, Old Bob is still a proud and noble creature, with a spirit that refuses to be broken.
The poem also contains a number of historical references that provide context for the story. For example, the line “he’s been through the wars” is a reference to the fact that many horses were used in World War I. These horses were subjected to harsh conditions and were often mistreated by their handlers. The fact that Old Bob has survived these experiences is a testament to its endurance and resilience.
In conclusion, Old Bob is a classic poem that tells the story of a horse that has been through a lot in its life. The poem is a tribute to the endurance and perseverance of the animal, as well as the bond that can exist between humans and their animal companions. Through vivid imagery and historical references, Service brings Old Bob to life, painting a picture of a proud and noble creature that refuses to be broken. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of treating animals with kindness and compassion, and it is a testament to the enduring power of the human-animal bond.
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