'Post Office Romance' by Robert Service

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The lady at the corner wicket
Sold me a stamp, I stooped to lick it,
And on the envelope to stick it;
A spinster lacking girlish grace,
Yet sweetly sensitive, her face
Seemed to en-star that stodgy place.

Said I: "I've come from o'er the sea
To ask you if you'll marry me -
That is to say, if you are free.
I see your gentle features freeze;
'I do not like such jokes as these,'
You seem to say . . . Have patience, please.

I saw you twenty years ago;
Just here you sold me stamps, and Oh
Your image seemed to haunt me so.
For you were lovely as a rose,
But I was poor, and I suppose
At me you tilted dainty nose.

Ah, well I knew love could not be,
So sought my fortune o'er the sea,
Deeming that you were lost to me.
Of sailing ships a mate was I,
From oriental ports to ply . . .
Ten years went past of foreign sky.

But always in the starry night
I steered my course with you in sight,
My dream of you a beacon light.
Then after a decade had sped
I cam again: 'What luck? I said,
'Will she be here and free to wed?'

Oh it was on a morn of Spring,
And I had in my purse a ring
I bought in Eastern voyaging,
With thought of you and only you;
For I to my love dream was true . . .
And here you were, your eyes of blue.

The same sun shining on your brow
Lustered you hair as it does now,
My heart was standing still, I vow.
I bought a stamp, my eyes were bent
Upon a ring you wore - I went
Away as if indifferent.

Again I sailed behind the mast,
And yet your image held me fast,
For once again ten years have passed.
And I am bronzed with braid of gold;
The rank of Captain now I hold,
And fifty are my years all told.

Yet still I have that ruby ring
I bought for you that morn of Spring -
See, here it is, a pretty thing. . . .
But now you've none upon your finger;
Why? I don't know - but as I linger
I'm thinking : Oh what can I bring her.

Who all my life have ploughed the ocean,
A lonely man with one devotion -
Just you? Ah, if you'd take the notion
To try the thing you ought to wear,
It fits so well. Do leave it there.

And here's a note addressed to you.
Ah yes, quite strangers are we two,
But - well, please answer soon . . . Adieu!

* * * * * * * * * *

Oh no, you never more will see
Her selling stamps at Wicket Three:
Queen of my home, she's pouring tea.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Post Office Romance: A Critical Analysis

Oh, what a charming poem we have in Post Office Romance! Robert Service, the Canadian poet and writer, truly outdid himself with this piece. From the very first line, the poem captivates its readers and keeps them engaged till the very end. But what makes this poem so special? What makes it stand out among the countless poems out there? We shall explore these questions and more in this critical analysis.

Overview

Post Office Romance tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a woman he sees at the post office. He describes her in vivid detail, admiring her beauty and grace. The woman, oblivious to the young man's love, continues with her business at the post office, leaving him to only dream of a future with her. As the young man leaves the post office, he vows to return every day, hoping to catch another glimpse of the object of his affection.

Themes

One of the central themes in this poem is love. The young man is infatuated with the woman he sees at the post office and his love for her drives him to visit the post office daily. Service captures the intense emotions of love in his description of the young man's feelings. He writes:

Her face was like a fresh spring day, her voice like a song, I fell in love with her at once; and all day long I sighed and crooned and hummed and smiled, and dreamed a dream of bliss; But when I went to post my mail, I didn't dare to kiss.

The young man's love for the woman is so strong that he finds it hard to focus on anything else. He is lost in his own thoughts and fantasies, and the only thing that makes him happy is the thought of being with her.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the power of beauty. The young man is drawn to the woman's beauty and it is this beauty that makes him fall in love with her. Service's use of vivid imagery and descriptive language helps to enhance the beauty of the woman. He writes:

Her eyes were like a summer sea, her hair a raven tress, Her cheeks were like a rosy dawn, her lips a scarlet press; I swear that God had fashioned her in some diviner mould, For never in my life before such loveliness I'd behold.

Service's portrayal of the woman's beauty is so captivating that, like the young man, we too are drawn to her. We can't help but feel the same attraction towards her as the young man does.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of hope. The young man's determination to see the woman again gives him hope that he might have a chance with her. Despite the fact that he doesn't know her name or anything about her, he believes that fate has brought them together and that he will see her again. This hope gives him the strength to keep going back to the post office every day.

Style and Structure

Service's use of language in Post Office Romance is exemplary. He uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to bring the characters and their surroundings to life. The use of alliteration and rhyme helps to make the poem more lyrical and musical. For example, the lines:

I sighed and crooned and hummed and smiled, and dreamed a dream of bliss;

uses repetition of consonants to create a musical effect. The use of rhyme in the poem also helps to make it more memorable and catchy. The lines:

Her eyes were like a summer sea, her hair a raven tress, Her cheeks were like a rosy dawn, her lips a scarlet press;

not only describe the woman's beauty but also create a rhythm that makes the poem more enjoyable to read.

The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. Service uses a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB) and a regular meter (iambic tetrameter) to create a sense of order and balance in the poem. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines, which gives it a neat and tidy appearance.

Interpretation

Post Office Romance can be interpreted in several ways. On one level, it can be seen as a simple love story between two strangers who meet at a post office. On another level, it can be seen as a commentary on the power of beauty and its ability to captivate and mesmerize us. The poem can also be interpreted as a celebration of hope and the belief that anything is possible if we have faith.

The young man's love for the woman can also be seen as a metaphor for the human condition. We are all searching for something or someone to love, and when we find it, we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep it. The poem can be seen as a reminder of the power of love and the importance of never giving up on our dreams.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Post Office Romance is a beautiful and charming poem that captures the power of love, beauty, and hope. Service's use of vivid imagery and descriptive language helps to bring the characters and their surroundings to life, while the regular rhyme scheme and meter make the poem more enjoyable to read. The poem can be interpreted in several ways, but at its core, it is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to love and dream.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Post Office Romance: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's known for his vivid descriptions of the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush, but he's also written some beautiful love poems. One of his most famous is "Post Office Romance," a poem that tells the story of a young couple who fall in love through letters.

The poem begins with the narrator describing the post office in a small town. He talks about the "dingy little post office" and the "grimy window-pane," but then he sees a young woman who catches his eye. She's "rosy-cheeked and bright of eye," and she's sorting through the mail. The narrator is immediately smitten, and he watches her every move.

As he watches her, he notices that she's reading a letter with a smile on her face. He wonders who the letter is from and what it says. He imagines that it's a love letter, and he's jealous of the man who wrote it. But then he has an idea. He decides to write his own letter to the young woman, and he drops it in the mail.

Days go by, and the narrator anxiously waits for a response. He checks the mail every day, hoping to see a letter from the young woman. Finally, one day, he sees her reading a letter with a smile on her face again. He knows that it's his letter, and he's overjoyed.

The two begin to exchange letters, and they fall in love through their words. They write about their hopes and dreams, their fears and doubts, and their love for each other. They talk about meeting in person, but they know that it's impossible. The young woman is tied to her job at the post office, and the narrator is traveling from town to town.

Despite the distance between them, their love continues to grow. They write each other every day, and they look forward to each new letter. They know that they can't be together in person, but they find comfort in their words.

The poem ends with the narrator saying goodbye to the young woman. He's leaving town, and he knows that he won't be able to write to her anymore. He tells her that he loves her and that he'll never forget her. He leaves her with a kiss, and he walks away.

"Post Office Romance" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of long-distance love. It's a reminder that love can transcend distance and time, and that words can be just as powerful as physical touch. The poem is also a tribute to the power of the written word. In a world where we communicate through text messages and social media, it's easy to forget the beauty of a handwritten letter. But Service reminds us that a letter can be a work of art, a declaration of love, and a connection to another person.

The poem is also a commentary on the limitations of society. The young woman is tied to her job at the post office, and the narrator is tied to his travels. They can't be together because of their circumstances, but they find a way to connect through their letters. It's a reminder that sometimes we have to work within the limitations of our society, but that doesn't mean we can't find love and connection.

Service's use of language is also worth noting. He paints a vivid picture of the post office, with its "dingy" walls and "grimy" window-pane. But he also uses beautiful language to describe the young woman, with her "rosy cheeks" and "bright eyes." He captures the excitement and anticipation of waiting for a letter, and the joy of receiving one. His words are simple but powerful, and they evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when letter-writing was more common.

In conclusion, "Post Office Romance" is a classic poem that captures the beauty of long-distance love and the power of the written word. It's a reminder that love can transcend distance and time, and that sometimes we have to work within the limitations of our society. Service's use of language is beautiful and evocative, and his words remind us of the importance of letter-writing in a world that's increasingly digital. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful tribute to love and connection, and it's sure to leave you feeling inspired.

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