'Ommission' by Robert Service

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What man has not betrayed
Some sacred trust?
If haply you are made
Of honest dust,
Vaunt not of glory due,
Of triumph won:
Think, think of duties you
Have left undone.

But if in mercy hope,
Despite your sin,
The gates of Heaven ope'
To let you in:
Pray, pray that when God reads
Your judgement due,
He may forget good deeds
You did not do.

Ommission sins may be
The bitterest,
And wring in memory
A heart opprest;
So when sweet pity pleads,
Let us not rue
Too late, too late Kind Deeds
We did not do.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ommission: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Have you ever read a poem that left you with a feeling of lingering uncertainty? A piece of literature that seems to be missing something, but you can't quite put your finger on what it is? Well, Robert Service's poem "Omission" is just that. This classic poem, published in 1911, has been the subject of much interpretation and analysis over the years. In this literary criticism, we'll dive into the world of "Omission" and explore the different layers of meaning and symbolism hidden within its lines.

Summary

At its core, "Omission" is a poem about regret and missed opportunities. The speaker of the poem reflects on the choices he has made in his life and the things he has left undone. He laments the fact that he didn't take more risks and live life to the fullest. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery and metaphorical language to convey his feelings of loss and sadness.

The poem begins with the line "I have trimmed my life for a better fate" (1). This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the choices he has made and the opportunities he has missed. He goes on to describe how he has "cut away the years like a knife" (2) and how he has "pruned the days like a vine" (3). These lines suggest that the speaker has actively chosen to shape his life in a certain way, but now he regrets those choices.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to convey his feelings of loss and regret. He compares his life to "a tapestry worn and old" (8) and "a book that is torn and tattered" (9). These metaphors suggest that the speaker feels like his life has been lived to the fullest, and now he is left with nothing but remnants of what could have been.

The poem ends with the lines "I have taken the course that is always the best / And so with the sunshine I have gone along" (15-16). These lines suggest that the speaker has come to terms with his choices and is resigned to the fact that he cannot change the past. However, the final line of the poem, "And life was never a song" (17), suggests that the speaker still feels a sense of sadness and loss.

Analysis

Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem's content, let's dive deeper into its meaning and symbolism. One of the most striking aspects of "Omission" is its use of metaphorical language. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses metaphors to compare his life to various objects, such as a knife, a vine, a tapestry, and a book. These metaphors serve to highlight the speaker's feelings of regret and loss, as he compares his life to objects that are old and worn.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "I have" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's active role in shaping his life. This repetition also serves to emphasize the fact that the speaker is reflecting on his past choices and the things he has left undone.

The poem also contains several instances of religious imagery. The line "I have taken the course that is always the best" (15) suggests that the speaker has made choices based on a sense of morality or religious values. This line also implies that the speaker may have missed out on opportunities because he was too focused on doing what he perceived as the "right" thing.

Finally, the poem's title, "Omission," is itself significant. The title suggests that the poem is about things that have been left undone, and the regrets that come with those omissions. The title also serves to emphasize the poem's focus on regret and loss.

Interpretation

So, what does "Omission" mean, exactly? Well, the beauty of this poem is that there is no one "right" interpretation. However, here are a few possible interpretations:

• The poem could be about the human tendency to play it safe and avoid taking risks. The speaker regrets not taking more chances in life and wonders what could have been if he had.
• The poem could be about the human tendency to focus on doing what is "right" rather than what is fulfilling. The speaker has made choices based on a sense of morality or religious values, but now he regrets those choices because they prevented him from living life to the fullest.
• The poem could be about the inevitability of regret. No matter what choices we make in life, there will always be things we wish we had done differently. The speaker has come to terms with this fact but still feels a sense of sadness and loss.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Omission" is a beautiful and complex poem that touches on themes of regret, loss, and missed opportunities. The poem's use of metaphorical language and repetition serve to emphasize the speaker's feelings of sadness and resignation. The poem's title, "Omission," is significant in that it suggests the poem is about things that have been left undone. Ultimately, the poem's meaning is left up to interpretation, but we can all relate to the speaker's feelings of regret and the sense that life is never quite what we want it to be.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Omission by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Robert Service, the renowned Scottish-Canadian poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, "Omission," is a prime example of his mastery of language and poetic expression. In this 24-line poem, Service explores the theme of regret and the consequences of failing to act on one's desires.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a missed opportunity, a moment when he failed to express his love to someone he cared for deeply. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker lamenting his inaction:

I have withheld my heart from thee,
    Nor cast one glance of mine
Upon the sweet, sweet love of thee,
    The glory that was thine.

The repetition of "thee" and "thine" emphasizes the speaker's distance from the object of his affection, highlighting the emotional barrier that prevented him from expressing his feelings. The use of the word "withheld" also suggests a deliberate choice on the speaker's part, indicating that he was aware of his feelings but chose not to act on them.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's regret becomes more pronounced. He describes the pain he feels at the thought of what could have been:

And yet I know not why I stayed,
    Nor why I turned away;
I only know that something died
    Within me on that day.

The repetition of "I know not why" and "I only know" emphasizes the speaker's confusion and lack of understanding about his own actions. He is unable to explain why he didn't act on his feelings, and this lack of clarity only adds to his sense of regret.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker acknowledges the irreversible nature of his inaction:

And now the bitter fruit I reap,
    Of what I did not do;
The only solace left to me
    Is that I loved thee true.

The use of the phrase "bitter fruit" suggests that the consequences of the speaker's inaction are severe and long-lasting. He is now forced to live with the regret of what could have been, knowing that he can never go back and change the past. However, the final line of the poem offers a glimmer of hope, as the speaker affirms that his love was true. Despite his failure to act on his feelings, he can take comfort in the fact that his emotions were genuine and sincere.

Overall, "Omission" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of regret in a deeply personal and relatable way. Through his use of language and imagery, Robert Service captures the emotional turmoil of the speaker, highlighting the pain and sorrow that comes from failing to act on one's desires. The poem serves as a reminder to us all that life is short, and we must seize the opportunities that come our way, lest we be left with nothing but regret.

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