'Navels' by Robert Service
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Men have navels more or less;
Some are neat, some not
Being fat I must confess
Mine is far from hot.
Woman's is a pearly ring,
Lovely to my mind;
So of it to shyly sing
I am inclined.
I believe in nudity.
Female forms divine
Should be bared for all to see
In colour and in line.
So dear ladies, recognise
The dimpling of your waist
Has approval in my eyes,
Favour in my taste.
Darlings, please you, paint them gold,
Or some pastel hue;
Make them starry to behold,
Witching to the view.
Though I know I never should
Say such things as this:
How a rosebud navel would
Be sweet to kiss!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Navels by Robert Service: An Exploration of Human Connection
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! We're going to dive deep into Robert Service's poem, Navels. This classic piece of literature takes us on a journey of human connection and the search for meaning in life.
Background
First, let me give you a little background on the poem. Navels was written by Robert Service, a British-Canadian poet who was known for his narrative poems about the Canadian West. He lived from 1874-1958 and was a popular poet in his time. Navels was published in 1923 and is one of his most famous works.
The poem is written in the form of a monologue, with the speaker addressing an unnamed "you." We can assume that the "you" is a lover or a close friend, but the identity is never revealed. The speaker is on a quest for understanding and connection, and uses the imagery of belly buttons (navels) to explore these themes.
The Power of Imagery
One of the most striking elements of Navels is the use of imagery. The speaker compares human connections to umbilical cords, with each person's navel representing their connection to the world. This is a powerful metaphor that speaks to the deep need for human connection that we all feel.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for this exploration of connection:
"I have memories - they are all I have - And they are fading fast. Of all the things I used to love And all the things I asked."
The speaker is longing for something that is slipping away from him. He is searching for a way to connect with the world and with others, but he is losing his grip on what he once had.
The metaphor of the navel is introduced in the second stanza:
"How deep it is! How dark and grand! It never seems to end; And curving like a scimitar Our lives and loves extend."
The navel is described as deep and dark, which creates a sense of mystery and wonder. The speaker is fascinated by this connection that we all have to the world, and he sees it as something that is both beautiful and powerful.
The Search for Meaning
As the poem continues, the speaker delves deeper into his search for meaning. He talks about the things that he has lost and the things that he still longs for. He says:
"I have a hunger - oh it's grand! Sometimes it seems to me That all the world is but a navel, And I'm a devotee."
This hunger for meaning and connection is something that we can all relate to. We all have moments where we feel like we're searching for something, but we're not quite sure what it is. The speaker sees the navel as a symbol of this hunger, and he becomes a "devotee" of this quest.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together in a powerful conclusion:
"Oh all the things we used to do, The loves we used to know! But now we've only navels left, And they are dimmed and low."
The speaker is reflecting on the past and the things that he has lost. He realizes that all that is left are the connections that we have to the world and to each other. These connections may be dimmed and low, but they are still there.
Conclusion
Navels is a powerful poem that speaks to the deep need for human connection that we all feel. Robert Service uses the metaphor of the navel to explore this theme in a unique and powerful way. The poem is both sad and hopeful, as the speaker searches for meaning and connection in a world that seems to be slipping away from him.
As I read Navels, I couldn't help but reflect on my own life and my own search for meaning. We are all on a journey, and sometimes it feels like we're searching for something that we can't quite put our finger on. But like the speaker in the poem, we must keep searching and keep reaching out for the connections that we need to live a full and meaningful life.
So, my friends, I encourage you to read Navels for yourselves and see what connections you can find. It's a journey that is well worth taking.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Navels: A Poem of Life and Death
Robert Service’s Navels is a classic poem that explores the themes of life and death through the metaphor of the navel, the physical connection between a mother and her child. The poem is a powerful meditation on the cycle of life, the inevitability of death, and the enduring legacy of our existence.
The poem begins with the image of a newborn baby, “a little wrinkled seedling” with a “navel-knot” that connects it to its mother. This image is both tender and poignant, evoking the miracle of birth and the bond between mother and child. The navel, in this context, represents the physical manifestation of this bond, a reminder of the child’s dependence on its mother for sustenance and protection.
As the poem progresses, however, the navel takes on a more symbolic meaning. It becomes a metaphor for the cycle of life, the connection between generations, and the legacy we leave behind. Service writes:
“Each navel-knot is a mystic rune, A message from the great unknown; A word from the primal mother tongue, A whisper from the cosmic drone.”
Here, the navel is no longer just a physical connection between mother and child, but a “mystic rune” that contains a message from the “great unknown.” It is a symbol of the mystery of life, the unknowable forces that govern our existence, and the connection between all living things.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Service explores the inevitability of death. He writes:
“And when we die, our navels go To join the vast umbilicus; The cosmic cord that binds below, The great above, the small, the big.”
Here, the navel becomes a symbol of our mortality, a reminder that we are all connected to the same cosmic forces that govern life and death. The “vast umbilicus” represents the cycle of life and death, the eternal dance of creation and destruction that governs the universe.
Despite the dark tone of this passage, however, the poem ends on a note of hope and optimism. Service writes:
“And though we die, our navels live, A legacy of flesh and bone; A gift that we alone can give, A seed that we alone have sown.”
Here, the navel becomes a symbol of our legacy, the gift that we leave behind for future generations. It is a reminder that, even though we may die, our influence lives on in the lives of those we touch. Our “navels” become a seed that we have sown, a legacy that will continue to grow and flourish long after we are gone.
In conclusion, Navels is a powerful poem that explores the themes of life and death through the metaphor of the navel. It is a meditation on the cycle of life, the connection between generations, and the legacy we leave behind. Through its evocative imagery and powerful language, it reminds us of the mystery and wonder of life, the inevitability of death, and the enduring legacy of our existence.
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