'Someone's Mother' by Robert Service
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Someone's Mother trails the street
Wrapt in rotted rags;
Broken slippers on her feet
Drearily she drags;
Drifting in the bitter night,
Gnawing gutter bread,
With a face of tallow white,
Listless as the dead.
Someone's Mother in the dim
Of the grey church wall
Hears within a Christmas hymn,
One she can recall
From the h so long ago,
When divinely far,
in the holy alter glow
She would kneel in prayer.
Someone's Mother, huddled there,
Had so sweet a dream;
Seemed the sky was Heaven's stair,
Golden and agleam,
Robed in gown Communion bright,
Singingly she trod
Up and up the stair of light,
And thee was waiting - God.
Someone's Mother cowers down
By the old church wall;
Soft above the sleeping town
Snow begins to fall;
Now her rags are lily fair,
but unproud is she:
Someone's Mother is not there . . .
Lo! she climbs the starry stair
Only angels see.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Someone's Mother by Robert Service
Wow. Just wow. That's all I can say after reading Robert Service's Someone's Mother. This poem is a masterpiece, a true testament to the power of language and its ability to evoke emotion in the reader. Let's dive into this poem and explore its themes, motifs, and hidden meanings.
The Power of Nostalgia
The first thing that strikes me about Someone's Mother is the way it taps into our sense of nostalgia. We've all experienced that feeling of longing for a simpler time, a time when life was less complicated and more innocent. Service captures this feeling perfectly in the opening stanza:
The woman in the ward just died.
Pale and pinched and worn,
And yet I knew her for a bride,
Fresh from her mother's lawn.
Oh, we've all seen them in our time,
Sad, shabby widows, you and I;
But she's someone's mother, someone's wife,
And beautiful once, before she died.
The juxtaposition between the woman's current state and the memory of her as a young bride is powerful. We can't help but feel a sense of loss, both for the woman herself and for the time when she was young and vibrant. Service reminds us that everyone has a story, that behind every shabby widow is a person who was once full of life and love.
The Poetry of Death
Death is a recurring theme in Someone's Mother, and Service handles it with grace and sensitivity. He doesn't shy away from the reality of death, but he also doesn't dwell on it. Instead, he reminds us that death is a natural part of life, and that we should cherish the time we have with our loved ones:
And as I watched her, I could see
A mother's tenderness and care
For the little baby at her knee
And the ringlets of golden hair.
Poor, pretty doll! and Mother dear,
You died, and all your love was vain:
But oh, the little one at your knee,
She'll never know your love and pain.
The image of the mother and her baby is heartbreaking, but it also reminds us of the beauty of life. Even though the mother has passed away, her love and tenderness live on in her child. This is a message we can all take to heart, regardless of our beliefs about the afterlife.
The Importance of Empathy
One of the most powerful aspects of Someone's Mother is the way it encourages us to empathize with others. Service reminds us that we all have our own struggles and sorrows, and that we should never judge someone based on their appearance:
So let us cherish those we love,
Nor ever give them cause to roam;
For we shall see them nevermore
In the old familiar home.
We shall kiss their lips, their eyes, their hair,
And clasping them again with pain,
We shall never hear their footsteps
In the streets of earth again.
The final stanza of the poem is a poignant reminder of our own mortality, and the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love. Service implores us to be kind and compassionate, to never take our loved ones for granted. This is a message that is especially relevant today, when so many of us are separated from our loved ones due to the pandemic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Someone's Mother is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal themes of nostalgia, death, and empathy. Robert Service's use of language is masterful, and his ability to evoke emotion in the reader is second to none. This poem is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty and love to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Someone's Mother: A Heartwarming Poem by Robert Service
If you're looking for a poem that will tug at your heartstrings and make you appreciate the love and sacrifice of mothers, then Robert Service's "Someone's Mother" is the perfect choice. This classic poem, written in 1912, has touched the hearts of millions of readers around the world with its simple yet powerful message of love and compassion.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at "Someone's Mother" and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices. We'll also examine how the poem reflects the values and beliefs of its time and why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The Poem's Structure and Themes
"Someone's Mother" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB) that adds to its musicality and rhythm.
The poem's central theme is the universal love and compassion that mothers have for their children. The poem begins with a description of an old woman who is begging on the street. The speaker observes her and wonders about her past and the life she has led. He imagines her as a young and beautiful woman who was once loved and cherished by her family.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's thoughts turn to his own mother and the sacrifices she has made for him. He realizes that the old woman on the street is someone's mother, just like his own, and that she deserves respect and compassion. The poem ends with a powerful message of empathy and kindness, urging readers to treat all mothers with love and respect.
Literary Devices and Techniques
Despite its simple structure, "Someone's Mother" is a masterful example of poetic technique and literary devices. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery and sensory details to create a vivid and emotional picture in the reader's mind.
For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the old woman's appearance in vivid detail, using words like "wrinkled," "bent," and "feeble" to convey her frailty and vulnerability. He also describes the "ragged shawl" she wears and the "tattered skirt" that hangs from her waist, painting a picture of poverty and hardship.
In the second stanza, the speaker uses imagery to evoke the old woman's past and the life she has led. He imagines her as a young and beautiful woman who was once "fair as a garden's flowers" and "loved by some mother's son." This image of youthful beauty and love contrasts sharply with the old woman's current state, highlighting the tragedy of aging and poverty.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as the speaker reflects on his own mother and the sacrifices she has made for him. He describes her as a "queen" who has given up her own dreams and desires to care for her children. This image of maternal sacrifice and devotion is a common theme in literature, but Service's use of language and imagery makes it feel fresh and poignant.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker delivers the poem's central message of empathy and kindness. He urges readers to treat all mothers with respect and compassion, regardless of their circumstances or appearance. This message is conveyed through the repetition of the phrase "someone's mother," which emphasizes the universal nature of motherhood and the importance of recognizing and honoring it.
Historical and Cultural Context
To fully appreciate "Someone's Mother," it's important to understand the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Service wrote the poem in 1912, a time when social and economic inequality were rampant in many parts of the world. Poverty, disease, and war were common, and many people struggled to make ends meet.
In this context, "Someone's Mother" can be seen as a call to empathy and compassion, urging readers to recognize the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of their social status or appearance. The poem reflects the values of the Progressive Era, a period of social and political reform in the United States and other countries, which emphasized the importance of social justice and equality.
At the same time, "Someone's Mother" also reflects the traditional values of family and motherhood that were prevalent in Service's time. The poem celebrates the love and sacrifice of mothers, portraying them as selfless and devoted figures who put their children's needs before their own. This idealized view of motherhood was common in literature and popular culture at the time, and it continues to resonate with many readers today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Someone's Mother" is a timeless poem that speaks to the universal themes of love, compassion, and empathy. Through its simple yet powerful language and imagery, the poem evokes a sense of shared humanity and reminds us of the importance of treating all people with respect and kindness.
Whether you're a mother yourself or simply someone who appreciates the love and sacrifice of mothers, "Someone's Mother" is a poem that is sure to touch your heart and leave a lasting impression. So take a few minutes to read it, and let its message of love and compassion inspire you to be a better person and a better member of your community.
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