'Atoll' by Robert Service

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The woes of men beyond my ken
Mean nothing more to me.
Behold my world, and Eden hurled
From Heaven to the Sea;
A jeweled home, in fending foam
Tempestuously tossed;
A virgin isle none dare defile,
Far-flung, forgotten, lost.

And here I dwell, where none may tell
Me tales of mortal strife;
Let millions die, immune am I,
And radiant with life.
No echo comes of evil drums,
To vex my dawns divine;
Aloof, alone I hold my throne,
And Majesty is mine.

Ghost ships pass by, and glad am I
They make no sign to me.
The green corn springs, the gilt vine clings,
The net is in the sea.
My paradise around me lies,
Remote from wrath and wrong;
My isle is clean, unsought, unseen,
And innocent with song.

Here let me dwell in beauty's spell,
As tranquil as a tree;
Here let me bide, where wind and tide
Bourdon that I am free;
Here let me know from human woe
The rapture of release:
The rich caress of Loveliness,
The plenitude of Peace.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Atoll: A Journey Through Emotions and Nature

Have you ever felt so lost in your thoughts that everything around you seems to fade into insignificance? Have you ever found solace in nature, seeking refuge from the chaos of life? Robert Service's poem, Atoll, captures these emotions and takes the reader on a journey through the vast expanse of the ocean, to an island surrounded by a ring of coral reefs - an atoll.

Atoll is a poem that explores the beauty of nature and the complexities of the human mind. It's a vivid portrayal of the atoll and its inhabitants, but it's also a meditation on the fragility of our existence and the power of nature to both destroy and renew.

A Journey Through Emotions

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to escape the pressures of life and to find peace in a place of natural beauty. He longs to be "far from the madding crowd," seeking solace in the tranquility of the ocean.

Oh in the deep blue night
The fountain sang alone;
It sang to the drowsy heart
Of a satyr carved in stone.

The imagery of the "deep blue night" sets the tone for the poem, creating a sense of calmness and serenity. The "fountain" represents the beauty and majesty of the ocean, while the "satyr carved in stone" symbolizes the speaker's desire to escape the constraints of society and find freedom in nature.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's journey takes him to an atoll, a place of incomparable beauty and wonder. He is mesmerized by the "coral gardens" and the "rainbow fish," and he marvels at the "palm tree's grace." The speaker's description of the atoll is vivid and evocative, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of this magical place.

Here in the shallows laving
Their silver bellies sleek,
The dolphins tumbling and playing,
The sea-stars pale and meek.

The descriptions of the dolphins and sea-stars add to the mystical quality of the atoll, and the juxtaposition of their playful nature with the speaker's own troubled thoughts creates a sense of tension in the poem.

Despite the beauty of the atoll, the speaker is still plagued by doubt and uncertainty. He questions the purpose of his existence, wondering if his life has any meaning at all.

Wherefore, and why, and whence?
It all seemed passing strange,
The questioning voice in the heart,
The haunting eyes of Change.

The speaker's questioning voice is a reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of change. The "haunting eyes of Change" suggest that even in the midst of beauty, there is always the possibility of loss and destruction.

Nature's Power to Destroy and Renew

The poem ends with a powerful image of nature's destructive power. The speaker watches as the ocean crashes against the coral reefs, destroying everything in its path.

And then came the hurricane
Crashing along the reef,
Lashing the coast with the palms
Flat as a beaten leaf;

The hurricane serves as a reminder of nature's ability to destroy even the most beautiful and powerful things. The image of the "coast with the palms flat as a beaten leaf" is a stark contrast to the beauty of the atoll earlier in the poem.

However, the poem doesn't end on a note of defeat or despair. Instead, it offers a message of hope and renewal. The speaker watches as new life emerges from the destruction, as the "coral gardens" and "palm tree's grace" are reborn.

But after the hurricane
Came the rainbow's leap;
And the valleys laughed with waterfalls
And the mountain-side with sheep.

The image of the "rainbow's leap" is a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of beauty and renewal.

Conclusion

Atoll is a poem that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of nature. It's a journey through beauty and destruction, hope and despair. Robert Service's mastery of imagery and symbolism creates a vivid and evocative picture of the atoll and its inhabitants, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of this magical place.

As we journey through life, we are constantly seeking solace and meaning in the world around us. Atoll reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is always the possibility of beauty and renewal. It's a poem that inspires us to appreciate the power of nature and to find solace in its ever-changing beauty.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Atoll by Robert Service: An Analysis of a Classic Poem

Robert Service is a renowned poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of life in his works. His poem, Atoll, is a classic example of his talent. Atoll is a poem that tells the story of a man who is stranded on an island in the middle of the ocean. The poem is a powerful representation of the human spirit and its ability to survive in the face of adversity.

The poem begins with the man being stranded on the island. He is alone and has no idea how he got there. The island is small, and there is no sign of civilization. The man is scared and unsure of what to do. He is faced with the prospect of being alone on the island for the rest of his life.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. The man is described as being "alone on a coral atoll." The use of the word "alone" emphasizes the man's isolation and his vulnerability. The phrase "coral atoll" is significant because it suggests that the man is in a place that is both beautiful and dangerous. The coral reefs that surround the island are beautiful, but they can also be deadly.

In the second stanza, the man begins to take stock of his situation. He realizes that he has no food or water and that he is completely exposed to the elements. He is faced with the prospect of having to survive on his own. The stanza ends with the line, "I was alone with the ocean and sky." This line emphasizes the man's isolation and his sense of being completely cut off from the rest of the world.

The third stanza is where the man begins to take action. He starts to explore the island and look for food and water. He is resourceful and manages to find coconuts and fish to sustain himself. The stanza ends with the line, "I was alone, but I was alive." This line is significant because it shows that the man has managed to survive in the face of adversity. He has found a way to sustain himself and has not given up hope.

The fourth stanza is where the man begins to reflect on his situation. He realizes that he is completely alone and that there is no one to help him. He is faced with the prospect of spending the rest of his life on the island. The stanza ends with the line, "I was alone, but I was free." This line is significant because it shows that the man has come to accept his situation. He has found a sense of freedom in his isolation.

The fifth stanza is where the man begins to contemplate his mortality. He realizes that he is mortal and that he will eventually die. He is faced with the prospect of dying alone on the island. The stanza ends with the line, "I was alone, but I was strong." This line is significant because it shows that the man has found a sense of strength in his isolation. He has come to accept his mortality and has found a sense of strength in his ability to survive.

The final stanza is where the man is rescued. He is saved by a passing ship and is taken back to civilization. The stanza ends with the line, "I was alone, but I was not forgotten." This line is significant because it shows that the man has not been forgotten. He has been rescued and has been given a second chance at life.

In conclusion, Atoll is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the human spirit. It shows that even in the face of adversity, we can find a way to survive. The poem is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It is a classic work that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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