'Wild Strawberries' by Robert Graves


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Strawberries that in gardens grow
Are plump and juicy fine,
But sweeter far as wise men know
Spring from the woodland vine.

No need for bowl or silver spoon,
Sugar or spice or cream,
Has the wild berry plucked in June
Beside the trickling stream.

One such to melt at the tongue's root,
Confounding taste with scent,
Beats a full peck of garden fruit:
Which points my argument.

May sudden justice overtake
And snap the froward pen,
That old and palsied poets shake
Against the minds of men.

Blasphemers trusting to hold caught
In far-flung webs of ink,
The utmost ends of human thought
Till nothing's left to think.

But may the gift of heavenly peace
And glory for all time
Keep the boy Tom who tending geese
First made the nursery rhyme.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Wild Strawberries: A Masterpiece by Robert Graves

Exciting and Enchanting Poetry that Takes You on a Journey of Life, Death, and Love

Wild Strawberries by Robert Graves is a classic poem that captures the essence of human life, death, and love in a beautiful and enchanting way. This masterpiece of poetry is a reflection of the author's personal experiences and beliefs, as well as his deep understanding of human nature.

At its core, Wild Strawberries is a poem about the fragility and beauty of life, and the importance of love and human connections that make it worth living. The poem is a journey that takes the reader through different stages of life, from the innocence of childhood to the inevitability of death, and everything in between.

Childhood Innocence and Joy

The poem begins with the image of wild strawberries, which symbolize the innocence and joy of childhood. The author describes how he used to pick the wild berries as a child, enjoying their sweet taste and the simple pleasures of life.

"In my wild erratic fancy visions come to me of Clancy
Gone a-picking wild strawberries in the realm of memory,
As we sat together, chatting, in the red of dusk together,
In the summer-time of youth, with its hey-day bright and free."

These lines evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the carefree days of youth, when life was simple and full of joy. The author reflects on the happy memories of his childhood, and the friends he shared them with, including Clancy.

The Temptations of Youth

As the poem progresses, the author moves on to the next stage of life- the temptations and distractions of youth. He describes how he was drawn away from the innocence of his childhood and became more interested in the pleasures of life.

"Now the tempter came upon us,
Bold and careless as a lover;
And the berry, red and luscious,
Tempted us to steal each other."

These lines show how the author was easily swayed by the temptations of youth and the allure of pleasure. He became more interested in taking risks and exploring the world around him, rather than staying within the safe confines of his childhood.

Love and Loss

In the next part of the poem, the author reflects on the power of love, and the pain of loss. He describes how he fell in love with a woman, only to lose her to death.

"Sweet it was in summer twilight,
When we roamed the fields together;
But my heart was full of sorrow
When I lost her to the weather."

These lines are heartbreaking, as they depict the pain of losing someone you love. The author's words are filled with sorrow and regret, as he remembers the joys of love and the agony of loss.

The Inevitability of Death

Finally, the poem concludes with a reflection on the inevitability of death, and the importance of living life to the fullest. The author describes how the wild strawberries he used to pick as a child are now gone, and how everything in life eventually comes to an end.

"All the bright and fleeting pleasures
That we knew in youth's light weather
Like the berries, red and luscious,
Are but memories now, together."

These lines are a sobering reminder of the impermanence of life, and the need to appreciate every moment we have. The author urges the reader to cherish the people and experiences that make life worth living, even as we are confronted with the inevitability of our own mortality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Wild Strawberries is a masterful poem that captures the essence of human life, death, and love in a beautiful and enchanting way. The poem takes the reader on a journey through different stages of life, from the innocence of childhood to the inevitability of death, and everything in between.

The author's words are filled with emotion and meaning, evoking a sense of nostalgia, longing, and sorrow. At the same time, the poem is a celebration of life and the human connections that make it worth living.

Overall, Wild Strawberries is a true masterpiece of poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations of readers to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Wild Strawberries: A Poem of Nostalgia and Regret

Robert Graves’ poem, Wild Strawberries, is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of aging. Written in 1916, during the height of World War I, the poem captures the sense of loss and longing that permeated the era. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Graves paints a picture of a world that is both beautiful and tragic, where the joys of youth are tempered by the knowledge that they will not last forever.

The poem begins with a description of the wild strawberries that grow in the hedgerows and fields of the English countryside. These strawberries are a symbol of the innocence and joy of youth, and the speaker remembers how he used to pick them as a child. The strawberries are described as “small and sweet” and “red as blood,” emphasizing their connection to the vitality and energy of youth.

As the poem progresses, however, the tone becomes more melancholy. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of aging, and he realizes that the wild strawberries he used to pick as a child are now gone. The hedgerows and fields are overgrown and the strawberries have been replaced by “weeds and thistles.” This image of decay and neglect is a powerful metaphor for the loss of youth and the passing of time.

The poem also explores the theme of regret, as the speaker reflects on the choices he has made in his life. He remembers how he used to “run wild” as a child, but now he is “old and grey” and his “youthful days are gone.” He realizes that he has wasted his life pursuing things that were ultimately unimportant, and he longs to go back to the days when he was young and carefree.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker imagines himself lying on his deathbed, surrounded by his loved ones. He realizes that he has lived his life in the pursuit of things that were ultimately meaningless, and he wishes that he had spent more time enjoying the simple pleasures of life. The image of the wild strawberries returns, as the speaker imagines himself “picking the wild strawberries that grow in the fields of eternity.” This image is a powerful reminder that even in death, there is still the possibility of joy and beauty.

Overall, Wild Strawberries is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of the human experience. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the moments we have, for they will not last forever. The poem is a powerful reminder that even in the face of death, there is still the possibility of joy and beauty, and that we should strive to live our lives in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling.

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