'Kathleen' by Robert Service

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It was the steamer Alice May that sailed the Yukon foam.
And touched in every river camp from Dawson down to Nome.
It was her builder, owner, pilot, Captain Silas Geer,
Who took her through the angry ice, the last boat of the year;
Who patched her cracks with gunny sacks and wound her pipes with wire,
And cut the spruce upon the banks to feed her boiler fire;
Who headed her into the stream and bucked its mighty flow,
And nosed her up the little creeks where no one else would go;
Who bragged she had so small a draft, if dew were on the grass,
With gallant heart and half a start his little boat would pass.
Aye, ships might come and ships might go, but steady every year
The Alice May would chug away with Skipper Silas Geer.

Now though Cap geer had ne'er a fear the devil he could bilk,
He owned a gastric ulcer and his grub was mostly milk.
He also owned a Jersey cow to furnish him the same,
So soft and sleek and mild and meek, and Kathleen was her name.
And so his source of nourishment he got to love her so
That everywhere the captain went the cow would also go;
And though his sleeping quarters were ridiculously small,
He roped a section of them off to make Kathleen a stall.
So every morn she'd wake him up with mellifluous moo,
And he would pat her on the nose and go to wake the crew.
Then when he'd done his daily run and hitched on to the bank,
She'd breath above his pillow till to soothing sleep he sank.
So up and down the river seeded sourdoughs would allow,
They made a touching tableau, Captain Silas and his cow.

Now as the Captain puffed his pipe and Kathleen chewed her cud,
There came to him a poetess, a Miss Belinda Budd.
"An epic I would write," said she, "about this mighty stream,
And from your gallant bark 'twould be romantic as a dream."
Somewhat amazed the Captain gazed at her and shook his head;
"I'm sorry, Miss, but we don't take she passengers," he said.
"My boat's a freighter, we have no accommodation space
For women-folk - my cabin is the only private palce.
It's eight foot small from wall to wall, and I have, anyhow,
No room to spare, for half I share with Kathleen, That's my cow."
The lady sighed, then soft replied: "I love your Yukon scene,
And for its sake your room I'll take, and put up with Kathleen."

Well, she was so dead set to go the Captain said: "By heck!
I like your spunk; you take my bunk and I'll camp on the deck."
So days went by then with a sigh she sought him so anew:
"Oh, Captain Geer, Kathleen's a dear, but does she have to moo?
In early morn like motor horn she bellows overhead,
While all the night without respite she snores above my bed.
I know it's true she dotes on you, your smile she seems to miss;
She leans so near I live in fear my brow she'll try to kiss.
Her fond regard makes it so hard my Pegasus to spur...
Oh, please be kind and try to find another place for her."

Bereft of cheer was captain Geer; his face was glazed with gloom:
He scratched his head: "There ain't," he said, "another inch of room.
With freight we're packed; it's stowed and stacked - why even on the deck.
There's seven salted sourdoughs and they're sleeping neck and neck.
I'm sorry, Miss, that Kathleen's kiss has put your muse to flight;
I realize her amber eyes abstract you when you write.
I used to love them orbs above a-shining down on me,
And when she'd chew my whickers you can't calculate my glee.
I ain't at all poetical, but gosh! I guess your plight,
So I will try to plan what I can fix up for to-night."

Thus while upon her berth the wan and weary Author Budd
Bewailed her fate, Kathleen sedate above her chewed her cud;
And as he sought with brain distraught a steady course to steer,
Yet find a plan, a worried man was Captain Silas Geer.
Then suddenly alert was he, he hollerred to his mate;
"Hi, Patsy, press our poetess to climb on deck and wait.
Hip-hip-hooray! Bid her be gay and never more despair;
My search is crowned - by heck, I've found an answer to her prayer."

To Patsy's yell like glad gazelle came bounding Bardess Budd;
No more forlorn, with hope new-born she faced the foaming flood;
While down the stair with eager air was seen to disappear,
Like one inspired (by genius fired) exultant Captain Geer.
Then up he came with eye aflame and honest face aglow,
And oh, how loud he laughed, as proud he led her down below.
"Now you may write by day or night upon our Yukon scene,
For I," he cried, "have clarified the problem of Kathleen.
I thought a lot, then like a shot the remedy I found:
I jest unhitched her rope and switched the loving creature round.
No more her moo will trouble you, you'll sleep right restful now.
Look, Lady, look! - I'm giving you... the tail end of the cow."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Kathleen: A Masterpiece of Romanticism

Introduction

Robert Service is a poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his poems. His poem, "Kathleen," is a masterpiece of romanticism that portrays the emotions of love and loss. The poem is a tribute to a woman named Kathleen who has captured the heart of the poet. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and motifs present in the poem and analyze the structure and language used by the poet to convey his emotions.

Overview of the Poem

"Kathleen" is a long poem that is divided into six stanzas. Each stanza has eight lines and follows a rhyme scheme of ABABCCDD. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is the poet himself. The poem begins with the poet describing his first meeting with Kathleen and how she captured his heart. The subsequent stanzas describe their relationship, the joy they shared, and the pain of losing her. The poem ends with the poet mourning the loss of Kathleen and wondering if he will ever find love again.

Themes and Motifs

Love is the central theme of the poem. The poet describes how he fell in love with Kathleen at first sight and how she became the center of his world. The poem explores the different aspects of love, such as joy, passion, and pain. The poet describes the joy he felt when he was with Kathleen, the passion they shared, and the pain he felt when he lost her. The poem also explores the theme of loss and the pain of parting. The poet describes how he feels lost and alone now that Kathleen is gone and wonders if he will ever find love again.

The motif of nature is also present in the poem. The poet uses the imagery of nature to describe his emotions. For example, he compares Kathleen's eyes to the stars and her voice to the song of a bird. The imagery of nature adds depth and beauty to the poem and enhances the emotions the poet is trying to convey.

Structure and Language

The structure of the poem is simple and follows a consistent pattern. Each stanza has eight lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD. The consistent structure of the poem adds to its beauty and makes it easy to read and understand.

The language used in the poem is simple and easy to understand. The poet uses imagery and metaphors to describe his emotions. For example, he compares Kathleen's eyes to the stars and her voice to the song of a bird. The use of imagery adds depth and beauty to the poem and enhances the emotions the poet is trying to convey.

Interpretation

The poem "Kathleen" is a masterpiece of romanticism that explores the emotions of love and loss. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is the poet himself. The poet describes how he fell in love with Kathleen at first sight and how she became the center of his world. The subsequent stanzas describe their relationship, the joy they shared, and the pain of losing her.

The poem is an exploration of the different aspects of love. The poet describes the joy he felt when he was with Kathleen, the passion they shared, and the pain he felt when he lost her. The poem is a tribute to the power of love and its ability to transform and enrich our lives.

The motif of nature adds depth and beauty to the poem. The poet uses the imagery of nature to describe his emotions. For example, he compares Kathleen's eyes to the stars and her voice to the song of a bird. The imagery of nature enhances the emotions the poet is trying to convey and makes the poem more meaningful and beautiful.

The poem is also a reflection on the pain of loss and the uncertainty of life. The poet describes how he feels lost and alone now that Kathleen is gone and wonders if he will ever find love again. The poem is a reminder that life is uncertain and that we must cherish the moments we have with the people we love.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Kathleen" is a masterpiece of romanticism that explores the emotions of love and loss. The poem is a tribute to the power of love and its ability to transform and enrich our lives. The poet uses the motif of nature to add depth and beauty to the poem and enhance the emotions he is trying to convey. The poem is a reflection on the pain of loss and the uncertainty of life, reminding us to cherish the moments we have with the people we love. "Kathleen" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Kathleen: A Poem of Love and Loss

Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his works. One of his most famous poems, Kathleen, is a beautiful and heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. The poem tells the story of a man who falls in love with a woman named Kathleen, only to lose her to illness. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his first encounter with Kathleen. He is immediately struck by her beauty and charm, and he falls deeply in love with her. The language used to describe Kathleen is vivid and sensual, with the speaker comparing her to a rose and a star. This imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe, as if Kathleen is a celestial being that has descended to earth.

As the poem progresses, we learn that Kathleen is not just beautiful, but also kind and compassionate. She has a gentle spirit and a loving heart, and the speaker is drawn to her not just for her physical beauty, but for her inner qualities as well. This is evident in the lines, "Her eyes were stars of twilight fair / Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair / But all things else about her drawn / From May-time and the cheerful dawn."

The use of nature imagery in these lines is significant. The speaker is comparing Kathleen to the beauty of nature, which is pure and unspoiled. This suggests that Kathleen is a natural beauty, untainted by the artificiality of society. The use of the word "May-time" also suggests that Kathleen is a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts, which is fitting given the speaker's newfound love for her.

However, the poem takes a tragic turn when Kathleen falls ill. The speaker is devastated by her illness, and he watches helplessly as she fades away. The language used to describe Kathleen's illness is haunting and powerful, with the speaker comparing her to a dying flower. He says, "Her face was like a lily pale / It was the pale of fleeting dawn / That goes so soon - ah! all too soon."

The use of the word "fleeting" in these lines is particularly poignant. It suggests that Kathleen's life is short and transient, like the dawn that fades into day. The speaker is acutely aware of the fragility of life, and he is devastated by the thought of losing Kathleen.

Despite his grief, the speaker remains devoted to Kathleen until the end. He stays by her side, holding her hand and whispering words of love and comfort. The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful, as the speaker laments the loss of his beloved Kathleen. He says, "And now I'm fain to think they're true / For deathless is their every line / They speak of things that never die / Of dreams that live eternally."

These lines suggest that even though Kathleen is gone, her memory will live on forever. The speaker believes that their love was so pure and true that it transcends death, and that Kathleen will always be with him in spirit. This is a powerful message of hope and resilience, and it speaks to the enduring power of love.

In conclusion, Kathleen is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love and loss. The language and imagery used by Robert Service are powerful and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and awe that is both uplifting and heartbreaking. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, and it reminds us that even in the face of death, love can conquer all.

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