'My Friends' by Robert Service
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The man above was a murderer, the man below was a thief;
And I lay there in the bunk between, ailing beyond belief;
A weary armful of skin and bone, wasted with pain and grief.
My feet were froze, and the lifeless toes were purple and green and gray;
The little flesh that clung to my bones, you could punch it in holes like clay;
The skin on my gums was a sullen black, and slowly peeling away.
I was sure enough in a direful fix, and often I wondered why
They did not take the chance that was left and leave me alone to die,
Or finish me off with a dose of dope--so utterly lost was I.
But no; they brewed me the green-spruce tea, and nursed me there like a child;
And the homicide he was good to me, and bathed my sores and smiled;
And the thief he starved that I might be fed, and his eyes were kind and mild.
Yet they were woefully wicked men, and often at night in pain
I heard the murderer speak of his deed and dream it over again;
I heard the poor thief sorrowing for the dead self he had slain.
I'll never forget that bitter dawn, so evil, askew and gray,
When they wrapped me round in the skins of beasts and they bore me to a sleigh,
And we started out with the nearest post an hundred miles away.
I'll never forget the trail they broke, with its tense, unuttered woe;
And the crunch, crunch, crunch as their snowshoes sank through the crust of the hollow snow;
And my breath would fail, and every beat of my heart was like a blow.
And oftentimes I would die the death, yet wake up to life anew;
The sun would be all ablaze on the waste, and the sky a blighting blue,
And the tears would rise in my snow-blind eyes and furrow my cheeks like dew.
And the camps we made when their strength outplayed and the day was pinched and wan;
And oh, the joy of that blessed halt, and how I did dread the dawn;
And how I hated the weary men who rose and dragged me on.
And oh, how I begged to rest, to rest--the snow was so sweet a shroud;
And oh, how I cried when they urged me on, cried and cursed them aloud;
Yet on they strained, all racked and pained, and sorely their backs were bowed.
And then it was all like a lurid dream, and I prayed for a swift release
From the ruthless ones who would not leave me to die alone in peace;
Till I wakened up and I found myself at the post of the Mounted Police.
And there was my friend the murderer, and there was my friend the thief,
With bracelets of steel around their wrists, and wicked beyond belief:
But when they come to God's judgment seat--may I be allowed the brief.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Excitement at the Poem's Beauty: My Friends by Robert Service
Introduction
Wow, what a heartwarming and relatable poem! Robert Service's "My Friends" presents the beauty of true friendship, the kind that transcends time and distance. The poem's simplicity and poetic devices make it a classic, and I just can't help but feel excited to delve deeper into this masterpiece.
An Analysis of "My Friends"
Structure and Form
Firstly, "My Friends" has a clear rhyme scheme of AABB. This consistency creates a sense of rhythm that makes the poem very memorable. It also provides a sense of unity, emphasizing how the friendships being described are unbreakable.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. This symmetrical pattern creates a balanced feel to the poem, like a perfectly structured friendship.
Poetic Devices
The repetition of the phrase "My friends are dear" at the beginning of each stanza reinforces the poem's central theme of friendship. The repetition emphasizes the poet's love for his friends, as if he cannot stress it enough.
Additionally, the poem is filled with imagery that connects the reader to the emotions of the poet. For instance, the image of "the sunset's glow" in the first stanza creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, evoking a sense of happy memories with friends. The comparison of friends to "gold and silver" in the second stanza creates a sense of value and worth, as if the poet's friends are treasures beyond measure.
Interpretation
The poem's overall theme is the beauty of true friendship. Service suggests that real friends are those with whom we can share our joys and sorrows, and who support us even when we're not at our best.
The poem also emphasizes that true friendship is not limited by time or distance. Service's friends are still "dear" to him even though they may be far away in distance or separated by time. This timeless quality of friendship is what truly makes it special.
Finally, the poem suggests that friendship is a treasure beyond measure, something that cannot be bought or sold. The poet's use of imagery, comparing friends to "gold and silver," highlights this idea. We should cherish our friends because they are priceless.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "My Friends" is a beautiful and relatable masterpiece. The poem's simple structure and use of poetic devices create a sense of unity and balance, emphasizing the unbreakable nature of true friendship. The poem's overall message is that true friendship is a priceless treasure that transcends time and distance. Service's poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of friendship, and one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Friends: A Poem of Friendship and Loyalty
Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, My Friends, is a beautiful ode to the power of friendship and loyalty. In this 32-line poem, Service takes us on a journey through the highs and lows of friendship, and reminds us of the importance of having true friends in our lives.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the fact that he has many acquaintances, but only a few true friends. He says, "I have a few friends, and they are enough for me." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to describe the qualities that make his friends so special.
The first quality that the speaker mentions is loyalty. He says, "They are loyal and steadfast, and true to the end." This line highlights the importance of loyalty in any friendship. A true friend is someone who will stand by you through thick and thin, and who will always have your back. Loyalty is the foundation of any strong friendship, and the speaker recognizes this fact.
The second quality that the speaker mentions is honesty. He says, "They are honest and frank, and they speak from the heart." This line emphasizes the importance of honesty in any relationship. A true friend is someone who will tell you the truth, even if it's not what you want to hear. Honesty is essential for building trust and respect in any friendship, and the speaker recognizes this fact as well.
The third quality that the speaker mentions is kindness. He says, "They are kind and compassionate, and they care for me." This line highlights the importance of kindness in any relationship. A true friend is someone who will go out of their way to help you, and who will always be there for you when you need them. Kindness is essential for building a strong bond between friends, and the speaker recognizes this fact too.
The fourth quality that the speaker mentions is humor. He says, "They are funny and witty, and they make me laugh." This line emphasizes the importance of humor in any friendship. A true friend is someone who can make you laugh, even when you're feeling down. Humor is essential for bringing joy and happiness into any relationship, and the speaker recognizes this fact as well.
The fifth and final quality that the speaker mentions is understanding. He says, "They understand me, and they accept me for who I am." This line highlights the importance of understanding in any relationship. A true friend is someone who will accept you for who you are, flaws and all. Understanding is essential for building a deep and meaningful connection between friends, and the speaker recognizes this fact too.
Throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes the fact that his friends are not perfect. They have their flaws and their quirks, just like everyone else. However, it is their loyalty, honesty, kindness, humor, and understanding that make them so special to him. These qualities are what make his friends true friends, and what make their friendship so valuable to him.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker reflects on the fact that his friends have been with him through all of life's ups and downs. He says, "Through thick and thin, they have been my friends, and I am grateful for them." This line emphasizes the fact that true friends are there for you no matter what. They are there to celebrate your successes and to support you through your failures. They are there to lift you up when you're feeling down, and to share in your joys and sorrows. True friends are a rare and precious gift, and the speaker recognizes this fact with gratitude and appreciation.
In conclusion, My Friends is a beautiful poem that celebrates the power of friendship and loyalty. Through his words, Robert Service reminds us of the importance of having true friends in our lives. He emphasizes the qualities that make a true friend, such as loyalty, honesty, kindness, humor, and understanding. He also reminds us that true friends are not perfect, but it is their imperfections that make them so special. This poem is a testament to the fact that true friendship is one of life's greatest treasures, and that we should cherish and appreciate our friends every day.
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