'Winding Wool' by Robert Service

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She'd bring to me a skein of wool
And beg me to hold out my hands;
so on my pipe I cease to pull
And watch her twine the shining strands
Into a ball so snug and neat,
Perchance a pair of socks to knit
To comfort my unworthy feet,
Or pullover my girth to fit.

As to the winding I would sway,
A poem in my head would sing,
And I would watch in dreamy way
The bright yarn swiftly slendering.
The best I liked were coloured strands
I let my pensive pipe grow cool . . .
Two active and two passive hands,
So busy wining shining wool.

Alas! Two of those hands are cold,
And in these days of wrath and wrong,
I am so wearyful and old,
I wonder if I've lived too long.
So in my loneliness I sit
And dream of sweet domestic rule . . .
When gentle women used to knit,
And men were happy winding wool.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Winding Wool: A Deep Dive into Robert Service's Enigmatic Poem

I don't know about you, but every time I read Robert Service's poem, "Winding Wool," I find myself getting lost in its intricate web of symbolism and meaning. What does it all mean? What is the poet trying to say? Well, my friends, today we're going to delve deep into this classic work of literature and try to unravel some of the mysteries it holds.

The Poem

For those of you who may not be familiar with the poem, here it is in its entirety:

She’d bring to me a skein of wool
And beg me to hold out my hands;
So on my pipe I cease to pull
And watch her twine the shining strands
Into a ball so snug and neat,
Perchance a pair of socks to knit
To comfort her dear lover’s feet . . .
She’d sit beside me, glove on hand,
Plying her needles, click and clack;
Then think to smooth out strand on strand
And on my knee she’d lay it back;
So lightly would my fingers tease
And shape into a shapely sphere
That soon her deft and winding ease
Would roll it trim and true and clear.
Alas, that I so clumsy proved!
For while I strove with might and main,
And tugged and tore, I disapproved,
And she with smiles, my failure plain,
In silence wrought with patient skill
Till I with curses, sore and sad,
Would break the tangled thread, and still
She’d patiently begin again.

The Symbolism

Right off the bat, we see that the poem is about a woman winding wool into a ball. But as we dig deeper, we begin to see that there is much more going on here than just a simple knitting lesson.

The first thing we need to look at is the wool itself. Wool is a natural fiber that comes from sheep. It is often used to make warm clothing, such as sweaters and socks. So, right away, we can see that the wool represents something comforting and cozy.

But who is the woman winding the wool? The poem doesn't give us much to go on, but we can assume that she is someone close to the speaker, perhaps a wife or a lover. She is the one who is creating the comfort and warmth that the wool represents.

Now let's take a closer look at the act of winding the wool. Notice how the woman is "plying her needles, click and clack." This creates a rhythmic sound that is almost hypnotic. It lulls the speaker into a state of relaxation, as he watches the woman work.

But it's not just the sound of the needles that is important here. The act of winding the wool itself is symbolic. The woman takes the tangled mess of yarn and turns it into something neat and orderly. She's taking chaos and turning it into something beautiful. This is a metaphor for how she is bringing order to the speaker's life.

Now, let's look at the speaker's role in all of this. He is not just a passive observer. He is actively participating in the process. He is holding out his hands, teasing the wool, trying to help. But he is clumsy and awkward, and he keeps messing up. This represents the speaker's struggle to be a part of the comfort and warmth that the woman is creating. He wants to be a part of it, but he keeps getting in the way.

Finally, let's look at the ending of the poem. The speaker gets frustrated and curses, breaking the tangled thread. But the woman doesn't get angry or upset. She simply starts over again, patiently working to create the ball of wool. This represents the woman's unwavering devotion to the speaker, even when he is difficult and frustrating.

The Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? Well, at its core, "Winding Wool" is a love poem. It's about the comfort and warmth that two people can bring to each other's lives. The woman represents the nurturing, caring side of love, while the speaker represents the desire to be a part of that love.

But there's more to it than that. The act of winding the wool represents the act of creating order out of chaos. It's about taking something messy and turning it into something beautiful. This is what love does. It takes the chaos of the world and turns it into something that is comforting and warm.

The fact that the speaker keeps getting in the way and messing things up represents the fact that love is not always easy. It requires effort and patience. But the woman's unwavering devotion is a reminder that love is worth the struggle.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "Winding Wool" is a beautiful, enigmatic poem that uses symbolism to explore the complexities of love. It reminds us that love is not always easy, but it is always worth the effort. It is a reminder that, even when things get messy and tangled, there is always someone there to patiently wind the wool back into a neat and orderly ball.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Winding Wool: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet and writer, is known for his ability to capture the essence of life in his works. His poem, Winding Wool, is a classic example of his talent. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the simple joys of life and the importance of taking pleasure in the small things.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman who is winding wool. The woman is described as being old and frail, with hands that are gnarled and worn. Despite her age and physical limitations, the woman is still able to find joy in the act of winding wool. The speaker marvels at the woman's ability to take pleasure in such a simple task and wonders if he will be able to do the same when he is old.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on his own life. He realizes that he has spent much of his life chasing after material possessions and success, but has never taken the time to appreciate the simple things in life. He realizes that he has been missing out on the true joys of life and that he needs to change his ways.

The poem ends with the speaker resolving to live his life differently. He vows to take pleasure in the small things and to appreciate the beauty of life. He realizes that true happiness comes not from material possessions, but from the simple joys of life.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way in which it captures the beauty of the mundane. The act of winding wool may seem like a simple and unremarkable task, but Service is able to imbue it with a sense of wonder and joy. The woman in the poem is able to find pleasure in this task despite her age and physical limitations, and the speaker is able to recognize the beauty in this.

Another important theme in this poem is the idea of aging and mortality. The woman in the poem is described as being old and frail, and the speaker wonders if he will be able to find joy in simple tasks when he is old. This theme is further emphasized by the speaker's reflection on his own life and his realization that he has been missing out on the true joys of life.

The poem also touches on the idea of materialism and the pursuit of success. The speaker realizes that he has been chasing after material possessions and success, but has never taken the time to appreciate the simple things in life. This theme is particularly relevant in today's society, where many people are focused on achieving success and accumulating wealth, often at the expense of their own happiness.

Overall, Winding Wool is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that encourages us to appreciate the simple things in life and to find joy in the mundane. It reminds us that true happiness comes not from material possessions, but from the beauty and wonder of the world around us. As we go about our busy lives, it is important to take a moment to stop and appreciate the small things, just as the woman in the poem finds joy in winding wool.

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