'Wheels' by Robert Service
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Since I am sick of Wheels
That jar my day,
Unto the hush that heals
I steal away.
Unto the core of Peace
Nature reveals,
I go to win release
From Wheels.
Let me beneath the moon
Take desert trail;
Or on some lost lagoon
Serenely sail;
Win to some peak the grey
Storm cloud conceals . . .
Life, let me get away
From Wheels!
Why was I born so late?
A skin-clad man
I should have shared the fate
Of mountain clan;
My quiet flock beside,
When silence steals,
Unshocked in eventide
By Wheels.
The Wheel is King today,
And speed's a god;
Yet when I see the way
My feet have trod,
Like pilgrims who to shrine
Of Beauty kneels,
I pray: O Peace divine
Damn Wheels!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Wheels by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Brilliance
Oh, how I love the art of poetry! And when it comes to the works of Robert Service, I am simply in awe of his abilities to craft words that evoke powerful emotions and images. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Wheels." In this piece, Service takes us on a journey through time and space, exploring the themes of life, death, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the nuances of this remarkable poem and try to uncover its hidden meanings and messages.
The Poem's Structure and Form
First, let's take a closer look at the structure and form of "Wheels." The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, giving the piece a musical quality that is easy on the ears. The language is simple and straightforward, yet imbued with poetic flourishes that make it a joy to read.
The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem: "Life is a stream / On which we strew / Petal by petal the flower of our heart; / The end lost in dream." Here, Service uses the metaphor of a stream to represent the flow of life, with each petal representing a moment of our existence. The idea of the end being lost in a dream suggests that the ultimate fate of our lives is uncertain and mysterious.
The Themes of Life and Death
As we move through the poem, we see that the main themes of "Wheels" are life and death. Service explores the cyclical nature of existence, with each stanza representing a different stage of life. In the second stanza, he describes "Youth" as "a garland of roses / Blushing in dew / Fastened with love on our forehead." This image evokes the beauty and innocence of youth, with the roses symbolizing the fleeting nature of this stage of life.
As we move into the later stanzas, the tone becomes more somber, with Service exploring the inevitability of death. In the fourth stanza, he writes, "Old age is a garland of sorrow / Full of the rust of the years that are gone; / But though we mourn and we borrow / Time, time goes on." Here, Service uses the metaphor of a garland again, but this time it is one of sorrow and regret. The rust represents the decay and decline of old age, but the final line reminds us that time marches on, regardless of our wishes.
The Passage of Time
Another key theme in "Wheels" is the passage of time. Service uses the metaphor of wheels to represent the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. In the third stanza, he writes, "Manhood is a tossing sea / Of desires and dreams and deeds, / And a woman's eyes are the beacon / That guides his barque where he needs." Here, the tossing sea represents the tumultuous nature of life, while the beacon of a woman's eyes symbolizes the constant search for meaning and direction.
In the final stanza, Service returns to the image of the stream from the opening lines, writing, "Death is a sea / Where the horizon is lost / The illimitable gulf of the unknown; / And life is a wheel." Here, the sea represents the unknown afterlife, while the wheel represents the cyclical nature of existence. The final line, "And the passage is swift / As we speed to the end / To the unknown, the unseen / To the everlasting friend," suggests that death is not to be feared, but rather embraced as a journey to a new beginning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Wheels" is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance that explores the themes of life, death, and the passage of time in a simple yet profound way. Service's use of metaphors and imagery creates a rich tapestry of emotions and ideas, leaving the reader with much to contemplate. As we journey through life, we are reminded that time is fleeting and that death is inevitable, but that the cyclical nature of existence means that new beginnings are always possible. And so, we must embrace life with all its joys and sorrows, knowing that the journey is swift and the end unknown.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wheels by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful piece that speaks to the human condition and the inevitability of change. The poem is a metaphor for life, and it is a reminder that we are all on a journey that will eventually come to an end.
The poem begins with the line, "Life is a stream," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The stream is a metaphor for the journey of life, and the wheels are the vehicle that carries us along. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand and relate to.
The first stanza of the poem describes the wheels as they move along the road. The wheels are described as "round and round" and "never stopping." This is a metaphor for the constant motion of life. The wheels are always moving forward, and we are always moving forward with them.
The second stanza of the poem describes the journey of life. The road is described as "long and winding," and the wheels are described as "rolling on and on." This is a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The road is not always smooth, and there are many obstacles along the way. However, we must keep moving forward, just like the wheels.
The third stanza of the poem describes the end of the journey. The wheels are described as "slowing down" and "coming to a stop." This is a metaphor for the end of life. We all must come to an end, and the wheels will eventually stop turning.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful reminder that life is short. The speaker says, "So let us travel while we may, / And seize the pleasures of the road." This is a call to action, a reminder that we should make the most of our time on this earth. We should enjoy the journey, and not just focus on the destination.
Overall, Wheels by Robert Service is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a reminder that life is short, and we should make the most of our time on this earth. The poem is a metaphor for life, and it is a reminder that we are all on a journey that will eventually come to an end. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand and relate to.
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