'Insomnia' by Robert Service
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Heigh ho! to sleep I vainly try;
Since twelve I haven't closed an eye,
And now it's three, and as I lie,
From Notre Dame to St. Denis
The bells of Paris chime to me;
"You're young," they say, "and strong and free."
I do not turn with sighs and groans
To ease my limbs, to rest my bones,
As if my bed were stuffed with stones,
No peevish murmur tips my tongue --
Ah no! for every sound upflung
Says: "Lad, you're free and strong and young."
And so beneath the sheet's caress
My body purrs with happiness;
Joy bubbles in my veins. . . . Ah yes,
My very blood that leaps along
Is chiming in a joyous song,
Because I'm young and free and strong.
Maybe it is the springtide. I am so happy I am afraid.
The sense of living fills me with exultation. I want to sing,
to dance; I am dithyrambic with delight.
I think the moon must be to blame:
It fills the room with fairy flame;
It paints the wall, it seems to pour
A dappled flood upon the floor.
I rise and through the window stare . . .
Ye gods! how marvelously fair!
From Montrouge to the Martyr's Hill,
A silver city rapt and still;
Dim, drowsy deeps of opal haze,
And spire and dome in diamond blaze;
The little lisping leaves of spring
Like sequins softly glimmering;
Each roof a plaque of argent sheen,
A gauzy gulf the space between;
Each chimney-top a thing of grace,
Where merry moonbeams prank and chase;
And all that sordid was and mean,
Just Beauty, deathless and serene.
O magic city of a dream!
From glory unto glory gleam;
And I will gaze and pity those
Who on their pillows drowse and doze . . .
And as I've nothing else to do,
Of tea I'll make a rousing brew,
And coax my pipes until they croon,
And chant a ditty to the moon.
There! my tea is black and strong. Inspiration comes with
every sip. Now for the moon.
The moon peeped out behind the hill
As yellow as an apricot;
Then up and up it climbed until
Into the sky it fairly got;
The sky was vast and violet;
The poor moon seemed to faint in fright,
And pale it grew and paler yet,
Like fine old silver, rinsed and bright.
And yet it climbed so bravely on
Until it mounted heaven-high;
Then earthward it serenely shone,
A silver sovereign of the sky,
A bland sultana of the night,
Surveying realms of lily light.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Insomnia by Robert Service: An In-Depth Literary Analysis
Insomnia, a poem by Robert Service, is a masterpiece of its kind. It is a classic poem that has been celebrated by generations of poetry enthusiasts worldwide. The poem is a reflection of the poet's personal struggle with sleeplessness and how it affects his state of mind. The poem, therefore, is a journey of self-discovery, a search for inner peace, and an attempt to come to terms with the realities of life.
The Poet's Struggle with Insomnia
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come. The poet talks about his inability to sleep, which he describes as "a curse that will not go." The use of the word "curse" suggests that the poet sees his insomnia as a negative thing, something that is ruining his life. The repetition of the phrase "will not go" emphasizes the stubbornness of the insomnia, which refuses to leave him in peace.
The second stanza of the poem is where the poet talks about the physical and mental effects of insomnia. He talks about how his eyes are "burning with a bitter flame" and how his mind is "racked and racked again." The use of the word "burning" suggests a sense of physical pain, while the phrase "racked and racked again" emphasizes the mental anguish that the poet is going through.
The Inner Turmoil
The third stanza of the poem is where the poet talks about the inner turmoil that he is experiencing as a result of his insomnia. He talks about how his thoughts are "jumbled in a crazy strife" and how his mind is "like a madman's brain." The use of the phrases "crazy strife" and "madman's brain" suggests a sense of chaos and confusion, which is a direct result of the poet's inability to sleep.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the poet talks about how he longs for sleep, but it eludes him. He talks about how he lies in bed, staring at the ceiling, and how he longs for the sweet release of sleep. The use of the word "longs" emphasizes the poet's desperation for sleep, which he sees as the only way out of his misery.
The Epiphany
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the epiphany happens. The poet talks about how he realizes that his insomnia is not just a physical condition but a manifestation of his inner turmoil. He talks about how his mind is "a thousand whirling wheels" and how his thoughts are "like a thousand winding reels." The use of the phrases "whirling wheels" and "winding reels" suggests a sense of motion, which is a direct result of the poet's restless mind.
The sixth stanza of the poem is where the poet talks about how he comes to terms with his insomnia. He talks about how he accepts it as a part of his life and how he tries to find peace in the midst of his inner turmoil. The use of the phrase "blessed peace" suggests a sense of relief, which the poet finds in accepting his insomnia as a part of his life.
The End of the Journey
The final stanza of the poem is where the poet talks about how he finally falls asleep. He talks about how he dreams of "a world that's kind and sane" and how he wakes up feeling refreshed and renewed. The use of the phrase "kind and sane" suggests a sense of hope, which the poet finds in his dreams.
Interpretation of Insomnia by Robert Service
Insomnia by Robert Service is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways. It is a deeply personal poem that reflects the poet's struggle with sleeplessness and his journey of self-discovery. The poem can, therefore, be interpreted as a reflection of the human condition, in which we all struggle to find inner peace and come to terms with the realities of life.
The poem can also be interpreted as a comment on the nature of existence itself. The poet's struggle with insomnia can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, in which we all struggle to find meaning in our lives. The poet's journey of self-discovery can, therefore, be seen as a search for the ultimate truth, a quest for knowledge and understanding.
The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection of the poet's own artistic process. The use of vivid imagery and evocative language suggests that the poet is using his insomnia as a source of inspiration. The poem can, therefore, be seen as a reflection of the creative process, in which the artist uses his own experiences to create something that is universal and timeless.
Conclusion
Insomnia by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a deeply personal reflection of the poet's struggle with sleeplessness and his journey of self-discovery. The poem is a masterpiece of its kind, using vivid imagery and evocative language to create a work that is both universal and timeless.
The poem can be interpreted in many ways, reflecting the many facets of the human condition. It can be seen as a comment on the nature of existence itself, a reflection of the creative process, or a reflection of the poet's own personal struggle.
Regardless of how one interprets the poem, Insomnia by Robert Service remains a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. It is a testament to the power of poetry and the human spirit, inspiring generations of poets and poetry enthusiasts alike.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Insomnia by Robert Service: A Poem of Sleeplessness and Despair
Robert Service, the famous poet and writer, is known for his vivid and powerful descriptions of the human experience. His poem "Insomnia" is a haunting and powerful exploration of the experience of sleeplessness and the despair that can come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the experience of lying awake in bed, unable to sleep. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its vivid and unsettling imagery:
"Thin are the night-skirts left behind By daybreak hours that onward creep, And thin, alas! the shred of sleep That wavers with the spirit's wind:"
The use of the word "thin" to describe both the night-skirts and the shred of sleep creates a sense of fragility and vulnerability. The night-skirts are a metaphor for the passing of time, and the fact that they are "thin" suggests that time is slipping away quickly. The "shred of sleep" is similarly fragile, and the fact that it "wavers with the spirit's wind" suggests that it is easily disturbed and fleeting.
The second stanza continues this theme of fragility and vulnerability, with the speaker describing the "ghostly hours" of the night:
"But in half-dreams that shift and roll And still remember and forget, My soul this hour has drawn your soul A little nearer yet."
The use of the word "ghostly" to describe the hours of the night creates a sense of otherworldliness and unreality. The fact that the speaker is only half-dreaming suggests that they are not fully present in the moment, but are instead caught between wakefulness and sleep. The idea that the speaker's soul is drawing closer to someone else's soul creates a sense of connection and intimacy, but also a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire.
The third stanza introduces the theme of despair, with the speaker describing the "blackness" of the night:
"Our lives, most dear, are never near, Our thoughts are never far apart, Though all that draws us heart to heart Seems fainter now and now more clear."
The use of the word "blackness" to describe the night creates a sense of darkness and despair. The fact that the speaker's life is "never near" suggests a sense of distance and separation, while the idea that their thoughts are "never far apart" suggests a sense of closeness and connection. The fact that these two ideas are presented together creates a sense of tension and contradiction, highlighting the speaker's sense of despair and confusion.
The fourth stanza continues this theme of despair, with the speaker describing the "aching heart" that keeps them awake:
"To-night the very gale will be A stronger blast than that which shook The oak, and there is more than a book Betwixt my bosom and the sea."
The use of the word "aching" to describe the speaker's heart creates a sense of pain and longing. The fact that the speaker is comparing their heart to the power of the wind and the sea suggests a sense of overwhelming emotion and vulnerability. The fact that there is "more than a book" between the speaker's bosom and the sea suggests a sense of distance and separation, highlighting the speaker's sense of despair and isolation.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker describing the "weary hours" of the night:
"To-night, this sunset, and this sea, Are blood and tears and agony, Yet I these very watches bless, Even as I chide them, for distress, Is but a dream, and Time will cease."
The use of the words "blood and tears and agony" creates a sense of pain and suffering, while the fact that the speaker is blessing the "weary hours" suggests a sense of acceptance and resignation. The fact that the speaker acknowledges that their distress is "but a dream" suggests a sense of perspective and detachment, while the idea that "Time will cease" suggests a sense of hope and possibility.
In conclusion, "Insomnia" is a powerful and haunting exploration of the experience of sleeplessness and the despair that can come with it. Through its vivid and unsettling imagery, its themes of fragility, vulnerability, and despair, and its language of pain, longing, and hope, this classic poem captures the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
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