'The Passing Of The Year' by Robert Service
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My glass is filled, my pipe is lit,
My den is all a cosy glow;
And snug before the fire I sit,
And wait to feel the old year go.
I dedicate to solemn thought
Amid my too-unthinking days,
This sober moment, sadly fraught
With much of blame, with little praise.
Old Year! upon the Stage of Time
You stand to bow your last adieu;
A moment, and the prompter's chime
Will ring the curtain down on you.
Your mien is sad, your step is slow;
You falter as a Sage in pain;
Yet turn, Old Year, before you go,
And face your audience again.
That sphinx-like face, remote, austere,
Let us all read, whate'er the cost:
O Maiden! why that bitter tear?
Is it for dear one you have lost?
Is it for fond illusion gone?
For trusted lover proved untrue?
O sweet girl-face, so sad, so wan
What hath the Old Year meant to you?
And you, O neighbour on my right
So sleek, so prosperously clad!
What see you in that aged wight
That makes your smile so gay and glad?
What opportunity unmissed?
What golden gain, what pride of place?
What splendid hope? O Optimist!
What read you in that withered face?
And You, deep shrinking in the gloom,
What find you in that filmy gaze?
What menace of a tragic doom?
What dark, condemning yesterdays?
What urge to crime, what evil done?
What cold, confronting shape of fear?
O haggard, haunted, hidden One
What see you in the dying year?
And so from face to face I flit,
The countless eyes that stare and stare;
Some are with approbation lit,
And some are shadowed with despair.
Some show a smile and some a frown;
Some joy and hope, some pain and woe:
Enough! Oh, ring the curtain down!
Old weary year! it's time to go.
My pipe is out, my glass is dry;
My fire is almost ashes too;
But once again, before you go,
And I prepare to meet the New:
Old Year! a parting word that's true,
For we've been comrades, you and I --
I thank God for each day of you;
There! bless you now! Old Year, good-bye!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Passing of the Year: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, where do I even begin? Robert Service's "The Passing of the Year" is an absolute masterpiece of a poem. With its vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and insightful observations, it captures the essence of the human experience in all its beauty and complexity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll be delving deep into the themes, motifs, and symbols of this classic poem, and exploring what makes it such a timeless and profound work of art.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to consider the context in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon gold rush, which earned him the nickname "Bard of the Yukon." However, "The Passing of the Year" is a departure from his usual subject matter, and is instead a reflection on the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change.
The poem was first published in Service's collection "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man" in 1916. This was during the First World War, and Service was serving as an ambulance driver in France at the time. The collection was dedicated to the Red Cross nurses and doctors who were working tirelessly to care for wounded soldiers, and the poems are suffused with a sense of patriotism, duty, and sacrifice. "The Passing of the Year" is no exception, and can be seen as a meditation on the transience of life in the face of war and death.
Structure and Form
"The Passing of the Year" is a sonnet, which is a type of poem that has fourteen lines and a strict rhyme scheme. Service uses the Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a rhyming couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a musical quality and makes it pleasing to the ear.
Service uses a number of literary devices in the poem, such as alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds), assonance (repetition of vowel sounds), and imagery (descriptions that appeal to the senses). These devices help to create a vivid and memorable picture in the reader's mind, and to convey the emotions and themes of the poem.
Themes and Motifs
One of the main themes of "The Passing of the Year" is the cyclical nature of time. The poem begins with a description of the passing of the old year and the coming of the new, and goes on to explore the changing seasons and the rhythms of nature. Service uses vivid imagery to convey the passing of time, such as "The wind goes wooing through the wood / And ushers in the snow" and "The crocus wakes, and wonders why / She tarried in the earth." These images help to create a sense of the transience of life and the inevitability of change.
Another theme of the poem is the contrast between life and death. Service refers to the "grim and ghostly year" that has passed, and speaks of "Death that takes the old and young." However, he also celebrates new life and growth, such as the "lusty sap that stirs the tree" and the "crocus that wakes." This contrast between death and life helps to create a sense of the fragility of human existence, and the need to cherish every moment that we have.
Service also touches on the theme of patriotism and duty, which was a common theme in war poetry of the time. He speaks of "the torch of life" that is passed from hand to hand, and of the need to "keep the faith with those who died." This sense of duty and sacrifice is reflected in the dedication of the collection to the Red Cross nurses and doctors, and helps to create a sense of the importance of community and service to others.
Symbols and Imagery
One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the passing of the old year and the coming of the new. Service uses this symbol to convey the cyclical nature of time, and the sense of renewal and rebirth that comes with each new year. He also uses the symbol of the changing seasons to reinforce this idea, and to create a sense of the rhythms of nature that underpin human existence.
Another powerful symbol in the poem is the crocus, which wakes from the earth in the spring. Service uses this symbol to represent new life and growth, and to contrast with the death and decay that is inherent in the passing of the old year. The crocus is also a symbol of hope and resilience, as it is able to withstand the harsh winter and emerge victorious in the spring.
Service also uses imagery to create a sense of the passing of time and the fragility of human existence. He speaks of the "frosty fingers on the pane" and the "grim and ghostly year" that has passed, creating a sense of the coldness and darkness that can sometimes overshadow life. However, he also uses imagery to convey the beauty and wonder of the world, such as the "lusty sap that stirs the tree" and the "blushing radiance of the dawn." These images help to create a sense of the richness and diversity of human experience, and to reinforce the idea that life is a precious and fleeting thing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Passing of the Year" is a deeply moving and insightful poem that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. Through its vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and insightful observations, it captures the essence of the cyclical nature of time, the fragility of human existence, and the need to cherish every moment that we have. Service's use of the sonnet form, literary devices, themes, and symbols all combine to create a masterful work of art that has stood the test of time. It is a true testament to the power of poetry to capture the human spirit and to inspire us to live our lives to the fullest.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Passing Of The Year: A Poem That Captures the Essence of Time
Robert Service, the famous poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his timeless works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Passing Of The Year, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of time and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of the poem and explore its deeper meanings.
The poem begins with the lines, "My glass is filled, my pipe is lit, / My den is all a cosy glow; / And snug before the fire I sit, / And wait to feel the old year go." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The image of the speaker sitting by the fire, with a glass and a pipe, creates a sense of comfort and familiarity, which is juxtaposed with the idea of the old year coming to an end.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the events of the past year, both good and bad. He says, "I see the days of grace and joy, / The little things of love and duty / That made the year a feast to buoy / The old man's heart with youth and beauty." Here, the speaker acknowledges the moments of happiness and love that made the year special. However, he also acknowledges the hardships and struggles that came with it. He says, "But oh, the bitter hours of pain, / When loved ones died, or love proved hollow! / And reckless sin, and dreams insane, / And passions that but blight and follow." These lines serve as a reminder that life is not always easy, and that with the good comes the bad.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. He says, "And so I sit and dream and wait / For slim Horatius to arise, / Stern arbiter of Love and Fate, / And sweep the ashes from the skies." Here, the speaker is referring to the Roman god Horatius, who was believed to be the god of time and the seasons. The image of Horatius sweeping the ashes from the skies represents the passing of the old year and the beginning of a new one. The speaker is acknowledging that time moves on, and that we must embrace the changes that come with it.
The poem then takes on a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the nature of time and the meaning of life. He says, "For Time will come with all his trumps / His bugles and his drums and fife, / To call me from my cosy dumps / And bid me join the march of life." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that time is a force that cannot be stopped, and that we must all eventually face our own mortality. He goes on to say, "And how will then the year appear, / That rolls before me like a scroll? / For as the volume mounts, I fear / I do not find my life's control." These lines serve as a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of the time we have.
The poem then ends with the lines, "So let us fill the pipes of peace, / And gather round the friendly glow, / And, spite of war and want and fleece, / Sweeten the old year with a flow." Here, the speaker is encouraging us to come together and celebrate the passing of the old year, despite the hardships that may have come with it. He is reminding us that life is precious, and that we must cherish the moments of happiness and love that come our way.
In conclusion, The Passing Of The Year is a poem that captures the essence of time and the fleeting nature of life. Through its beautiful imagery and philosophical musings, it reminds us that time moves on, and that we must embrace the changes that come with it. It is a timeless work that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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