'Periods' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
My destiny it is tonight
To sit with pensive brow
Beside my study fire and write
This verse I'm making now.
This Period, this tiny dot
My pencil has defined,
By centuries of human thought
Was predestined.
And my last period of all
With patience now I see;
The final point so very small,
That locks my life for me.
Yet in eternity of time
They relatively seem
So like,--the dot that rounds my rhyme
Or ends my dream.
For each was preordained by Fate
Since human life began;
So are the little and the great
Linked in the life of man.
And as I wait without heartache
The pencil-point of God,
To pattern predestined I make
This------.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Periods by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Versatility
Are you looking for a poem that can make you laugh, cry, and think all at once? Look no further than "Periods" by Robert Service, a masterful piece of poetic versatility that captures the essence of human experience in a way that only a true master of the written word can.
In this 16-stanza poem, Service weaves a web of vivid imagery, witty wordplay, and poignant reflections on the cyclical nature of life, all while maintaining a light, conversational tone that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from start to finish.
A Poem of Many Moods
One of the things that makes "Periods" such a compelling poem is its ability to shift seamlessly between different moods and tones, often within the space of a few lines or even a single word. At times, the poem is playful and whimsical, as when Service describes the "garrulous geese" that "gabble and grieve" in the autumn chill.
At other times, it is deeply introspective, as when he reflects on the "ghosts of the past that we cannot forget" or the "dull ache of the heart" that comes with the passing of time. And yet, despite these abrupt shifts in mood, the poem never feels disjointed or jarring; rather, it flows effortlessly from one thought to the next, like a stream winding its way through a meadow.
A Master of Wordplay
One of the hallmarks of Service's poetry is his masterful use of wordplay, and "Periods" is no exception. From the alliterative "garrulous geese" to the clever pun on "fall" and "fell" in the line "Where the fall fell I cannot tell," Service delights in playing with language and using it to create unexpected connections and associations.
But his wordplay is not just clever for its own sake; it serves a deeper purpose, allowing him to explore complex ideas and emotions in a way that is at once playful and profound. Take, for example, the line "We are but children, who play in the sun / and dream of the days that are yet to be done." On the surface, this is a simple, almost childlike sentiment; but the repetition of the word "children" and the use of the word "play" to describe our existence hint at deeper, more complex meanings lurking beneath the surface.
A Poem of Endings and Beginnings
At its core, "Periods" is a poem about the cyclical nature of life, with its endings and beginnings, its joys and sorrows, its hopes and fears. Service weaves this theme throughout the poem in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, from the changing seasons that mark the passage of time to the recurring image of the moon, which "wanes and waxes, and wanes again" like the tides of life themselves.
But perhaps the most powerful expression of this theme comes in the final stanza, where Service reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death: "But when I come to the end of my days / and the sun sets on me in a final blaze, / I hope I can say, as my twilight descends, / I've lived my life well, from beginning to end."
In these lines, Service captures the essence of what it means to be human: to live our lives as best we can, with all the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and failures that come with it. And in doing so, he reminds us that life is not just about the destination, but about the journey itself.
In Conclusion
"Periods" is a poem that defies easy categorization; it is at once playful and profound, whimsical and introspective, light-hearted and deeply moving. But what makes it truly remarkable is the way that Service weaves all these elements together into a seamless whole, creating a work of art that speaks to the human experience in a way that few other poems can.
So if you're looking for a poem that can make you laugh, cry, and think all at once, look no further than "Periods" by Robert Service. It is a masterpiece of poetic versatility that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Periods by Robert Service is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and its cyclical nature. The poem is a reflection on the different stages of life, from birth to death, and how each period is marked by its unique characteristics. The poem is written in a simple yet powerful language that evokes strong emotions in the reader. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each representing a different period of life. The first stanza is about childhood, a time of innocence and wonder. The second stanza is about youth, a time of passion and adventure. The third stanza is about middle age, a time of reflection and introspection. The fourth and final stanza is about old age, a time of acceptance and wisdom.
The poem begins with the line, "Childhood is like a mirage of sand," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "mirage" suggests that childhood is a fleeting and illusory period of life. The image of sand also suggests that childhood is a time of playfulness and exploration, much like playing in a sandbox.
The second stanza begins with the line, "Youth is like a flame that burns so bright," which contrasts with the first stanza's image of sand. The use of the word "flame" suggests that youth is a time of passion and intensity. The image of a flame also suggests that youth is a time of danger and risk-taking.
The third stanza begins with the line, "Middle age is like a river that flows," which contrasts with the second stanza's image of a flame. The use of the word "river" suggests that middle age is a time of calm and reflection. The image of a river also suggests that middle age is a time of change and transition.
The fourth and final stanza begins with the line, "Old age is like a mountain that stands," which contrasts with the third stanza's image of a river. The use of the word "mountain" suggests that old age is a time of stability and wisdom. The image of a mountain also suggests that old age is a time of endurance and resilience.
Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery, which is used to create vivid and powerful images in the reader's mind. For example, the image of sand in the first stanza creates a sense of playfulness and exploration, while the image of a flame in the second stanza creates a sense of danger and risk-taking.
Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor, which is used to compare one thing to another. For example, childhood is compared to a mirage, youth is compared to a flame, middle age is compared to a river, and old age is compared to a mountain. These metaphors help to create a sense of continuity and progression throughout the poem.
Service also uses repetition to emphasize certain ideas and themes. For example, the phrase "like a" is repeated throughout the poem to compare each period of life to a different object or phenomenon. This repetition helps to create a sense of structure and rhythm in the poem.
In conclusion, Periods by Robert Service is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life and its cyclical nature. The poem is structured around four different periods of life, each marked by its unique characteristics. Service uses a variety of literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and repetition, to convey his message. The poem is a reminder that life is a journey, and that each period of life has its own challenges and rewards.
Editor Recommended Sites
Named-entity recognition: Upload your data and let our system recognize the wikidata taxonomy people and places, and the IAB categoriesGraph Database Shacl: Graphdb rules and constraints for data quality assurance
Declarative: Declaratively manage your infrastructure as code
Fantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy games
Now Trending App:
Recommended Similar Analysis
pity this busy monster,manunkind... (XIV) by e.e. cummings analysisPhilomela by Matthew Arnold analysis
A Character by William Wordsworth analysis
An Acre Of Grass by William Butler Yeats analysis
A Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy's Day, Being The Shortest Day by John Donne analysis
I Have A Rendezvous With Death by Alan Seeger analysis
I Saw a Chapel by William Blake analysis
Sleep , darling by Sappho analysis
She sweeps with many-colored brooms, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Five Flights Up by Elizabeth Bishop analysis