'God's Grief' by Robert Service

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"Lord God of Hosts," the people pray,
"Make strong our arms that we may slay
Our cursed foe and win the day."
"Lord God of Battles," cries the foe,
"Guide us to strike a bloody blow,
And lay the adversary low."

But brooding o'er the battle smother
Bewails the Lord: "Brother to brother,
Why must ye slaughter one another?
When will ye come to understand
My peace, and hand reach out to hand,
In every race, in every land?"

And yet, his weary words despite,
Went murderously on the fight,
Till God from mankind hid His sight,
Saying: "Poor children, must you gain
To brotherhood through millions slain?
--Was anguish on the Cross in vain?"

Editor 1 Interpretation

God’s Grief: A Masterpiece That Elicits Emotions from the Reader

Robert Service is a gifted poet known for his ability to craft literary masterpieces that resonate with readers. His poem, “God’s Grief,” is a classic example of his exceptional skills. This poem has stood the test of time and continues to captivate the hearts of readers all over the world.

At first glance, “God’s Grief” appears to be a simple poem that tells a story about a man who suffers a great loss. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye. Service uses powerful imagery and vivid descriptions to create a world that is both real and surreal, drawing his readers into a world that is both tragic and beautiful.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with its own distinct theme and message. The opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, introducing the reader to the protagonist and his tragic loss. The man in the poem has lost his son, and his grief is palpable. Service describes the man as being “bowed with anguish,” and “dumb with misery.” These powerful words create an image of a man who is completely consumed by grief, unable to speak or move.

The second stanza introduces the reader to God and his relationship with the protagonist. Service writes, “God heard his moan, and to his throne / He hastened to repair.” This line suggests that God has a personal relationship with the protagonist and is moved by his grief. The fact that God hears the man’s “moan” and “hastens to repair” his pain suggests that God is not an indifferent deity but rather a loving and compassionate one.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. Here, Service describes God’s own grief over the loss of the man’s son. God is described as “weeping on his throne,” and his tears are described as “pearls of pain.” This imagery is incredibly moving and creates a powerful emotional response in the reader. The fact that God is moved to tears over the loss of one man’s son suggests that God is intimately involved with the lives of his creations and that he feels their pain as if it were his own.

The final stanza of the poem offers a message of hope and redemption. Service writes, “The man by that divine decree / Was brought to life once more / And found his son, and on his knee / He clasped him as of yore.” This final stanza suggests that even in the face of loss and grief, there is hope for redemption. The fact that the man is “brought to life once more” suggests that he is given a second chance at life and that he is able to find joy and happiness once again.

Overall, “God’s Grief” is a masterpiece of poetic literature. Service’s use of powerful imagery and vivid descriptions creates a world that is both beautiful and tragic. The poem elicits a powerful emotional response in the reader, drawing them in and making them feel the protagonist’s pain as if it were their own. The poem is a reminder that even in the face of loss and grief, there is always hope for redemption and that God is intimately involved with the lives of his creations.

As a reader, I was deeply moved by this poem. Service’s ability to create such a powerful emotional response in the reader is a testament to his skills as a poet. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for redemption and that God is with us, feeling our pain and sharing our joys.

In conclusion, “God’s Grief” is a literary masterpiece that continues to captivate readers all over the world. The poem’s powerful imagery and vivid descriptions create a world that is both beautiful and tragic, eliciting a powerful emotional response in the reader. The poem is a reminder that even in the face of loss and grief, there is always hope for redemption and that God is intimately involved with the lives of his creations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

God's Grief: A Poem of Divine Sorrow

Robert Service's poem "God's Grief" is a haunting and powerful exploration of the pain and sorrow that can be felt by even the most powerful and divine beings. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Service paints a picture of a God who is deeply troubled by the suffering of his creations, and who feels a profound sense of loss and grief at the state of the world.

At its core, "God's Grief" is a meditation on the problem of evil, and the age-old question of why a loving and all-powerful God would allow such pain and suffering to exist in the world. Service's poem offers no easy answers to this question, but instead invites readers to contemplate the mystery and complexity of the divine, and to consider the possibility that even God himself may be moved to tears by the suffering of his children.

The poem begins with a vivid and striking image of God weeping in the darkness:

In the grey beginning of years, in the twilight of things that began, The word of the earth in the ears of the stars, and the breath of the world in man, A voice arose out of the silence, a voice like a wandering wind, A voice that sorrow and laughter made, and the world was shaken and thinned.

Here, Service sets the stage for the poem's central theme, introducing the idea of a God who is deeply connected to the world and its inhabitants, and who feels their pain and suffering as keenly as his own. The image of God weeping in the darkness is a powerful one, evoking a sense of profound sadness and loss that is almost palpable.

As the poem continues, Service explores the many ways in which the world can be a cruel and painful place, from the suffering of animals to the horrors of war and violence:

The cry of the eagle was in it, and the moan of the wounded deer, The sigh of the wind in the grasses, the sob of the waves on the mere, The laughter of children at play, and the whisper of lovers' lips, The scream of the dying in battle, the shriek of the tortured in ships.

Through these vivid and evocative images, Service creates a sense of the vastness and complexity of the world, and the many different forms that suffering can take. Yet even in the midst of all this pain and sorrow, there is a sense of hope and resilience, as Service reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and joy to be found:

And the voice of the world was a challenge, and the voice of the world was a prayer, A voice that was born of the sunlight, and the shadow that follows it there, A voice that was born of the mountains, and the sea that sleeps at their feet, A voice that was born of the forests, and the flowers that blossom sweet.

As the poem reaches its climax, Service returns to the image of God weeping in the darkness, and offers a powerful and moving vision of divine compassion and empathy:

And the voice of the world was a sorrow, and the voice of the world was a joy, A voice that was born of the living, and the dead that their hands employ, A voice that was born of the silence, and the song that is sung in the heart, A voice that was born of the ages, and the love that will never depart.

In this final stanza, Service suggests that even in the midst of all the pain and suffering of the world, there is still a sense of hope and redemption, and that God himself is moved to tears by the plight of his creations. It is a powerful and moving vision, one that invites us to contemplate the mystery and complexity of the divine, and to consider the possibility that even in the darkest of times, there is still a glimmer of hope and light.

In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "God's Grief" is a powerful and haunting meditation on the problem of evil, and the complex and mysterious nature of the divine. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Service invites readers to contemplate the many different forms that suffering can take, and to consider the possibility that even God himself may be moved to tears by the pain and sorrow of his children. It is a poem that challenges us to think deeply about the nature of the world and our place in it, and to seek out hope and redemption even in the darkest of times.

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