'Moon-Lover' by Robert Service


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I

The Moon is like a ping-pong ball;
I lean against the orchard wall,
And see it soar into the void,
A silky sphere of celluloid.

Then fairy fire enkindles it,
Like gossamer by taper lit,
Until it glows above the trees
As mellow as a Cheddar cheese.

And up and up I watch it press
Into appalling loneliness;
Like realms of ice without a stain,
A corpse Moon come to life again.

Ruthless it drowns a sturdy star
That seeks its regal way to bar;
Seeming with conscious power to grow,
And sweeter, purer, gladder glow.

Dreaming serenely up the sky
Until exultantly on high,
It shimmers with superb delight,
The silver navel of the night.

II

I have a compact to commune
A monthly midnight with the Moon;
Into its face I stare and stare,
And find sweet understanding there.

As quiet as a toad I sit
And tell my tale of days to it;
The tessellated yarn I've spun
In thirty spells of star and sun.

And the Moon listens pensively,
As placid as a lamb to me;
Until I think there's just us two
In silver world of mist and dew.


In all of spangled space, but I
To stare moon-struck into the sky;
Of billion beings I alone
To praise the Moon as still as stone.

And seal a bond between us two,
Closer than mortal ever knew;
For as mute masses I intone
The Moon is mine and mine alone.

III

To know the Moon as few men may,
One must be just a little fey;
And for our friendship's sake I'm glad
That I am just a trifle mad.

And one with all the wild, wise things,
The furtive folk of fur and wings,
That hold the Moon within their eyes,
And make it nightly sacrifice.

O I will watch the maiden Moon
Dance on the sea with silver shoon;
But with the Queen Moon I will keep
My tryst when all the world's asleep.

As I have kept by land and sea
That tryst for half a century;
Entranced in sibylline suspense
Beyond a world of common-sense.

Until one night the Moon alone
Will look upon a graven stone. . . .
I wonder will it miss me then,
Its lover more than other men?

Or will my wistful ghost be there,
Down ages dim to stare and stare,
On silver nights without a stir--
The Moon's Eternal Worshipper?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Fascinating World of Moon-Lover by Robert Service

Have you ever found yourself staring at the moon, wondering about its mysteries? Have you ever felt love or fascination for something that you cannot touch, but is constantly with you? If so, then you will certainly appreciate Robert Service's poem, Moon-Lover.

This classic poem is a remarkable work of literature, filled with vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and thought-provoking themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the deeper meanings behind this poem, analyze its structure and language, and discuss its impact on the reader.

The Plot and Imagery of Moon-Lover

Moon-Lover tells the story of a person who is deeply in love with the moon. The speaker describes how they spend their nights watching the moon, and how its beauty and mystery have captured their heart. They long to touch the moon, to embrace it, and to be with it forever.

Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid and powerful imagery to describe the moon and its influence on the speaker. For example, he describes the moon as a "silver dream," a "pearl of light," and a "gleaming shield." These descriptions paint a picture of a glorious, otherworldly object that is both beautiful and unreachable.

The speaker's love for the moon is also described in vivid detail. They describe the moon as their "lover," and express their desire to be with it always. The speaker's passion for the moon is so strong that they are willing to give up everything else in their life just to be near it.

The Themes of Moon-Lover

At its core, Moon-Lover is a poem about love and longing. The speaker's love for the moon is intense and almost obsessive. They are willing to sacrifice everything else in their life just to be near it. This theme of all-consuming love is something that many people can relate to, especially those who have experienced intense infatuation or desire for something they cannot have.

Another theme that is present in Moon-Lover is the idea of the unattainable. The moon is something that is distant and unreachable, yet the speaker is still drawn to it. This theme of unattainable desire is a common one in literature, and it speaks to the human desire for the impossible.

Finally, Moon-Lover also touches on the idea of the beauty and mystery of the natural world. The moon is a natural object that has fascinated human beings for centuries. By making the moon the object of the speaker's affection, Service is highlighting the beauty and mystery of nature, and our natural desire to be close to it.

The Language and Structure of Moon-Lover

One of the most striking aspects of Moon-Lover is its language. Service's use of language is simple yet powerful, and he is able to convey complex emotions and themes with just a few words. His descriptions of the moon and the speaker's love for it are vivid and poetic, and they create a sense of magic and wonder that is hard to resist.

The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. Moon-Lover is a free-verse poem, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Service to be more creative with his language and imagery, and it gives the poem a more organic, natural feel.

The Impact of Moon-Lover

Moon-Lover is a poem that has resonated with readers for over a century. Its themes of love, longing, and the beauty of nature are universal, and its language and imagery are powerful and evocative. This poem has been translated into many different languages, and it has inspired countless artists and writers around the world.

In conclusion, Moon-Lover is a true masterpiece of literature. Its powerful themes, vivid imagery, and simple yet powerful language combine to create a work of art that is both timeless and universal. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply a lover of the beauty of the natural world, this poem is sure to capture your heart and leave you feeling enchanted.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Moon-Lover: A Poem of Love and Longing

Robert Service’s Moon-Lover is a classic poem that captures the essence of love and longing. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the human heart’s yearning for love and the moon’s symbolic representation of that love. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem’s themes, structure, and literary devices to understand the depth of its meaning.

Themes

The central theme of Moon-Lover is love and longing. The poem portrays the speaker’s intense desire for his beloved, who is represented by the moon. The moon is a symbol of the speaker’s love, and he longs to be with it, to touch it, and to be one with it. The speaker’s love is so intense that he is willing to give up everything to be with his beloved. He says, “I’d sell my soul for a kiss, I’d sell my soul for a kiss.”

The poem also explores the theme of unrequited love. The speaker’s love for the moon is unrequited, and he knows that he can never be with it. He says, “I know that I can never win, I know that I can never win.” The moon is a distant object, and the speaker’s love for it is unattainable. The poem portrays the pain and anguish of unrequited love, and the speaker’s longing for something that he can never have.

Structure

Moon-Lover is a free-verse poem that consists of six stanzas. Each stanza has four lines, and the poem has a total of twenty-four lines. The poem’s structure is simple, yet effective, as it allows the reader to focus on the poem’s themes and the speaker’s emotions.

The poem’s structure also reflects the speaker’s emotions. The short stanzas and the repetition of certain phrases, such as “I’d sell my soul for a kiss” and “I know that I can never win,” create a sense of urgency and desperation. The poem’s structure reflects the speaker’s intense longing for his beloved and his pain at not being able to be with it.

Literary Devices

Service uses several literary devices in Moon-Lover to convey the poem’s themes and the speaker’s emotions. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is personification. The moon is personified as the speaker’s beloved, and it is given human-like qualities. The moon is described as “a silver maiden,” “a lady in distress,” and “a queen of love.” The personification of the moon adds depth to the poem and makes it more relatable to the reader.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of certain phrases, such as “I’d sell my soul for a kiss” and “I know that I can never win,” creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The repetition also emphasizes the speaker’s intense longing for his beloved and his pain at not being able to be with it.

Service also uses imagery in the poem to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. The moon is described as “a silver maiden,” “a lady in distress,” and “a queen of love.” These images create a sense of beauty and romance, and they add to the poem’s overall theme of love and longing.

Conclusion

Moon-Lover is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and longing. The poem’s themes of love and unrequited love, its simple structure, and its effective use of literary devices make it a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem’s personification of the moon, its repetition of certain phrases, and its use of imagery create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and make the poem more relatable. Moon-Lover is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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