'It Is Later Than You Think' by Robert Service
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Lone amid the cafe's cheer,
Sad of heart am I to-night;
Dolefully I drink my beer,
But no single line I write.
There's the wretched rent to pay,
Yet I glower at pen and ink:
Oh, inspire me, Muse, I pray,
It is later than you think!
Hello! there's a pregnant phrase.
Bravo! let me write it down;
Hold it with a hopeful gaze,
Gauge it with a fretful frown;
Tune it to my lyric lyre . . .
Ah! upon starvation's brink,
How the words are dark and dire:
It is later than you think.
Weigh them well. . . . Behold yon band,
Students drinking by the door,
Madly merry, bock in hand,
Saucers stacked to mark their score.
Get you gone, you jolly scamps;
Let your parting glasses clink;
Seek your long neglected lamps:
It is later than you think.
Look again: yon dainty blonde,
All allure and golden grace,
Oh so willing to respond
Should you turn a smiling face.
Play your part, poor pretty doll;
Feast and frolic, pose and prink;
There's the Morgue to end it all,
And it's later than you think.
Yon's a playwright -- mark his face,
Puffed and purple, tense and tired;
Pasha-like he holds his place,
Hated, envied and admired.
How you gobble life, my friend;
Wine, and woman soft and pink!
Well, each tether has its end:
Sir, it's later than you think.
See yon living scarecrow pass
With a wild and wolfish stare
At each empty absinthe glass,
As if he saw Heaven there.
Poor damned wretch, to end your pain
There is still the Greater Drink.
Yonder waits the sanguine Seine . . .
It is later than you think.
Lastly, you who read; aye, you
Who this very line may scan:
Think of all you planned to do . . .
Have you done the best you can?
See! the tavern lights are low;
Black's the night, and how you shrink!
God! and is it time to go?
Ah! the clock is always slow;
It is later than you think;
Sadly later than you think;
Far, far later than you think.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"It Is Later Than You Think" by Robert Service: A Critical Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel as though the author knew you inside out, as though they were speaking directly to you? That's how I felt when I first read Robert Service's "It Is Later Than You Think." The poem's hauntingly familiar message about the fleeting nature of time resonates with everyone on a personal level. In this essay, I will explore the poem's themes, structure, and use of language to show how Service captures the essence of the human condition.
Overview of the Poem
"It Is Later Than You Think" is a poem about the urgency of living life to the fullest. It warns us against procrastination and encourages us to seize every moment because time is fleeting. Service begins the poem by painting a vivid picture of the world around us, describing the beauty and wonder of nature. However, he quickly shifts to a tone of urgency, warning us that time is running out. The speaker implores us to take action and not waste a single moment because "it is later than you think."
Themes
The poem's central theme is the fleeting nature of time, and the urgency to live life to the fullest. Service reminds us that time is a finite resource, and we must make the most of it while we can. He emphasizes that life is short and precious, and we must not waste it on petty concerns or procrastination.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the importance of living in the present moment. Service encourages us to let go of the past and not worry too much about the future. He reminds us that the only moment we have is the present, and we must make the most of it.
Structure
"It Is Later Than You Think" is a free verse poem with no set rhyme or meter. Service uses short, sharp lines to create a sense of urgency and intensity. The poem is structured into five stanzas, each with a distinct message.
The first stanza introduces the poem's theme and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. Service describes the beauty and wonder of the world around us, with its "golden fields and silvered streams."
The second stanza shifts the tone of the poem and introduces the urgency of living life to the fullest. Service warns us that time is running out and reminds us that "life is a cheque that we cannot cash."
The third stanza continues the urgent tone of the poem and encourages us to live in the present moment. Service reminds us that the past is gone and the future is uncertain, and we must make the most of the present.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most emotionally charged of the poem. Service describes the regrets of those who have wasted their lives on trivial pursuits, and warns us not to make the same mistake.
The fifth and final stanza concludes the poem with a plea to seize the moment and make the most of our time. Service implores us to take action and not wait until it's too late.
Use of Language
Service's use of language is perhaps the most striking aspect of the poem. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a sense of urgency and intensity. For example, he describes time as a "thief in the night" and reminds us that it "slips like sand from your unclenched fist." These metaphors create a sense of urgency and emphasize the fleeting nature of time.
Service also uses repetition to drive home his message. The phrase "it is later than you think" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and reminding us that time is running out.
The poem's language is also deeply emotional. Service describes the regrets of those who have wasted their lives on trivial pursuits, and the pain and sadness they feel as they realize that time has run out. This emotional depth adds to the poem's urgency and makes it all the more impactful.
Conclusion
"It Is Later Than You Think" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that reminds us of the fleeting nature of time. Service's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and emotional language creates a sense of urgency and encourages us to live life to the fullest. The poem's message is timeless and universal, resonating with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It reminds us that time is precious and encourages us to seize the moment and make the most of our lives. After all, as Service reminds us, "it is later than you think."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It Is Later Than You Think: A Poem of Urgency and Reflection
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, penned a powerful and thought-provoking poem titled "It Is Later Than You Think." The poem, written in 1918, is a call to action, urging readers to seize the day and live life to the fullest. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The poem begins with a stark warning: "The clock of life is wound but once, / And no man has the power / To tell just when the hands will stop / At late or early hour." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of every moment. The clock metaphor is a powerful one, reminding us that time is a finite resource that we must use wisely.
The second stanza continues this theme, urging readers to "live, love, toil with a will" and to "place no faith in tomorrow." This is a call to action, a reminder that we cannot afford to waste time or put off our dreams and aspirations. We must seize the day and make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
The third stanza takes a more reflective tone, asking readers to consider the legacy they will leave behind. "For those who live the longest here / Often leave but little trace," the poem reminds us. This is a reminder that our time on earth is limited, and that we must strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.
The fourth stanza takes a more somber turn, warning readers that "the end of man is ceaseless toil, / For sleep may come but joy will never." This is a reminder that life is not always easy, and that we must be prepared to work hard and face challenges in order to achieve our goals. The line "joy will never" is particularly poignant, emphasizing the importance of finding happiness and fulfillment in the present moment.
The fifth stanza returns to the theme of urgency, urging readers to "do it now" and to "use your time in the present tense." This is a reminder that we cannot afford to put off our dreams and aspirations, and that we must take action in the present moment in order to achieve our goals.
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the clock metaphor from the opening stanza. "The clock of life is wound but once, / And no man has the power / To tell just when the hands will stop / At late or early hour." This is a reminder that life is precious and fleeting, and that we must make the most of every moment.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines. The consistent structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and momentum, emphasizing the urgency of the message. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem's musicality, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several powerful metaphors and images. The clock metaphor is perhaps the most prominent, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the importance of making the most of every moment. The use of the phrase "ceaseless toil" in the fourth stanza is also a powerful image, emphasizing the idea that life is not always easy and that we must be prepared to work hard in order to achieve our goals.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase "it is later than you think" appearing twice in the poem. This repetition emphasizes the urgency of the message and reinforces the idea that we cannot afford to waste time.
In conclusion, "It Is Later Than You Think" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that urges readers to seize the day and make the most of every moment. The poem's use of metaphor, repetition, and structure all contribute to its impact, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. As the poem reminds us, "the clock of life is wound but once," and we must make the most of every moment before our time runs out.
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