'A Song Of Suicide' by Robert Service
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Deeming that I were better dead,
"How shall I kill myself?" I said.
Thus mooning by the river Seine
I sought extinction without pain,
When on a bridge I saw a flash
Of lingerie and heard a splash . . .
So as I am a swimmer stout
I plunged and pulled the poor wretch out.
The female that I saved? Ah yes,
To yield the Morgue of one corpse the less,
Apart from all heroic action,
Gave me a moral satisfaction.
was she an old and withered hag,
Too tired of life to long to lag?
Ah no, she was so young and fair
I fell in love with her right there.
And when she took me to her attic
Her gratitude was most emphatic.
A sweet and simple girl she proved,
Distraught because the man she loved
In battle his life-blood had shed . . .
So I, too, told her of my dead,
The girl who in a garret grey
Had coughed and coughed her life away.
Thus as we sought our griefs to smother,
With kisses we consoled each other . . .
And there's the ending of my story;
It wasn't grim, it wasn't gory.
For comforted were hearts forlorn,
And from black sorrow joy was born:
So may our dead dears be forgiving,
And bless the rapture of the living.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Song Of Suicide: A Look Into The Dark Depths of the Human Mind
Have you ever wondered what drives a person to take their own life? What kind of pain and suffering they must be going through to make them believe that death is a better option than life? Robert Service's poem, "A Song Of Suicide," explores these very questions.
In this 28-stanza poem, Service takes us on a journey through the mind of a person who is contemplating suicide. He explores the reasons why someone might choose to end their life, the emotions that they might experience, and the impact that their decision would have on those around them. Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery and powerful language to create a haunting and atmospheric tone that draws the reader in and forces them to confront the realities of suicide.
The Power of Imagery
One of the most striking features of "A Song Of Suicide" is Service's use of vivid and evocative imagery. He uses words like "blackest night," "dreadful ways," and "pallid moons" to create a sense of darkness and despair that permeates the entire poem. The imagery is so strong that you can almost feel the weight of the depression and hopelessness that the speaker is experiencing.
For example, in stanza 8, Service writes:
The mist-draped lights of London town
They left a sullen sheen,
And in the channel, gray and brown,
I saw and felt obscene
Old Death come up and sit him down,
And knew what that must mean.
Here, Service paints a picture of a dreary, misty London night. The lights of the city cast a "sullen sheen" that only serves to deepen the feeling of sadness and despair. And then there's the image of Death himself, sitting down in the channel, waiting for his next victim. It's a powerful and unsettling image that perfectly captures the mood of the poem.
The Emotions of Suicide
Service doesn't just rely on imagery to convey the emotions of suicide, though. He also uses powerful language to describe the turmoil that the speaker is going through. In stanza 5, for example, he writes:
I want to kill, and I want to die;
What savours of life to me?
The gust that goes and the leaves that fly,
Born of a tree that will cease to be;
The billows shoot and the seagulls cry,
But they merely make for the sea.
Here, the speaker reveals the conflicting emotions that they are experiencing. They want to die, but they also want to kill - perhaps as a way of lashing out at the world that has caused them so much pain. The language is raw and intense, and it perfectly captures the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of despair and hopelessness.
The Toll of Suicide
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "A Song Of Suicide," though, is the way that Service explores the impact that suicide would have on those around the speaker. In stanza 15, he writes:
And then I thought of those that cared,
And oh, they cared for me!
Too late for that; for I'd not dared
Their fettering love to be.
It mattered not how they had fared,
They'd still be sick for me.
Here, the speaker acknowledges that there are people in their life who care for them deeply. But it's too late. The thought of their loved ones only serves to deepen the despair that they are feeling - and the knowledge that their decision would cause even more pain only adds to the weight that they are carrying.
Conclusion
"A Song Of Suicide" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the depths of the human mind. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of darkness and despair that is hard to shake. And yet, in the midst of all that darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. The speaker is conflicted, torn between the desire to end their own life and the knowledge that there are people who care for them.
Ultimately, "A Song Of Suicide" is a reminder of the toll that suicide takes on those around us. It's a reminder that, no matter how hopeless things may seem, there is always someone who cares. And that, in the end, is what makes life worth living.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Song of Suicide: A Poem That Will Leave You Breathless
Robert Service is a poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his writing. His poem, A Song of Suicide, is a perfect example of this. This classic poem is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of the pain and despair that can lead someone to take their own life. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, asking them to listen to his song of suicide. The tone is somber and melancholic, setting the stage for the dark themes that will be explored throughout the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe the pain and suffering that he has experienced in his life, saying that he has "drunk of life's great cup" and found it bitter.
The imagery in this opening stanza is particularly powerful. The metaphor of life as a cup that can be drunk from is a common one, but Service takes it to a new level by describing the cup as "great" and the taste as "bitter". This suggests that the speaker has experienced a great deal of pain and disappointment in his life, and that he has found little joy or satisfaction in his experiences.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of suicide more directly. He describes the act of taking one's own life as a "sweet release", suggesting that death is a way to escape the pain and suffering of life. He also says that suicide is a "noble deed", which is a controversial statement that is sure to provoke strong reactions from readers.
The use of the word "noble" is particularly interesting here. It suggests that the speaker sees suicide as a heroic act, one that requires courage and strength. This is a stark contrast to the way that suicide is often portrayed in popular culture, where it is seen as a cowardly or selfish act. Service's poem challenges this view, suggesting that suicide can be a way for someone to take control of their own life and find peace in death.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker describes the act of suicide in vivid detail, painting a picture of a person who is consumed by pain and despair. He talks about the "cold steel" of the gun, the "sudden shock" of the bullet, and the "red flood" of blood that follows. This imagery is graphic and unsettling, but it serves to underscore the seriousness of the subject matter.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker makes his final plea to the reader. He asks them to "judge not" those who choose to take their own lives, suggesting that suicide is a deeply personal decision that should not be judged by others. He also asks the reader to "pray for peace", suggesting that he believes that death can bring a kind of peace that is not possible in life.
The symbolism in this final stanza is particularly powerful. The idea of "judging" someone who has committed suicide is a common one, and it speaks to the stigma that is often attached to mental illness and suicide. The speaker's plea for understanding and compassion is a reminder that suicide is a complex issue that requires empathy and understanding.
In conclusion, A Song of Suicide is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of pain, despair, and suicide. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism makes this poem a hauntingly beautiful depiction of the human experience. While the subject matter is dark and unsettling, the poem ultimately offers a message of compassion and understanding, reminding us that suicide is a complex issue that requires empathy and understanding.
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