'Decorations' by Robert Service
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My only medals are the scars
I've won in weary, peacetime wars,
A-fighting for my little brood,
To win them shelter, shoon and food;
But most of all to give them faith
In God's good mercy unto death.
My sons have medals gleaming bright,
Proud trophies won in foreign fight;
But though their crosses bravely shine,
My boys can show no wounds like mine -
Grim gashes dolorously healed,
And inner ailings unrevealed.
Life-lasting has my battle been,
My enemy a fierce machine;
And I am marked by many a blow
In conflict with a tireless foe,
Till warped and bent beneath the beat
Of life's unruth I own defeat.
Yet strip me bare and you will see
A worthy warrior I be;
Although no uniform I've worn,
By wounds of labour I am torn;
Leave the their ribbands and their stars . . .
Behold! I proudly prize my scars.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Decorations: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Decorations is a poem written by Robert Service, a well-known poet and writer from Scotland. The poem was first published in Service's collection of poems titled "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man" in 1916. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the First World War and the sacrifices they made for their country. With its vivid imagery and emotive language, Decorations is a powerful and moving poem that has resonated with readers for over a century.
Analysis
The poem begins with the narrator describing the scene of a military parade, where the soldiers are marching in their uniforms, proudly displaying their medals and decorations. The narrator emphasizes the grandeur and glory of the event, with the soldiers marching "like soldiers in a grand parade" and the "brass bands blaring". However, as the poem progresses, the narrator's tone becomes increasingly critical of the spectacle.
The narrator questions the purpose of the decorations and medals, asking "what good are all these decorations?" He suggests that the medals and decorations are merely "glittering toys" that serve no real purpose other than to boost the soldiers' egos. The narrator implies that the true value of a soldier lies not in the medals they have earned, but in the sacrifices they have made for their country.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the narrator describes the horrors of war. He vividly paints images of soldiers dying on the battlefield, their bodies "stiff and stark". He questions the worth of the medals and decorations in light of the soldiers' sacrifices, asking "what good are medals to the dead?" The poem suggests that the true value of a soldier's sacrifice lies not in the recognition they receive, but in the knowledge that they have served their country honorably.
As the poem comes to a close, the narrator shifts his focus to the families of the soldiers. He describes the pain and grief that they must feel as they mourn the loss of their loved ones. The narrator suggests that the true value of a soldier's sacrifice lies not in the recognition they receive, but in the comfort that their families can take in the knowledge that their loved ones died for a noble cause.
Interpretation
Decorations is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that speaks to the sacrifices made by soldiers in times of war. The poem raises important questions about the value of recognition and the true meaning of sacrifice. The poem suggests that the true value of a soldier's sacrifice lies not in the recognition they receive, but in the knowledge that they have served their country honorably.
The poem also highlights the impact of war on families and loved ones. The pain and grief that they experience is a reminder of the true cost of war. The poem suggests that the true value of a soldier's sacrifice lies not in the recognition they receive, but in the comfort that their families can take in the knowledge that their loved ones died for a noble cause.
Decorations also raises important questions about the nature of war itself. The poem suggests that war is a brutal and senseless endeavor that ultimately leads to the loss of life and the destruction of communities. The narrator's vivid descriptions of soldiers dying on the battlefield serve as a reminder of the true horrors of war.
Conclusion
Decorations is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the sacrifices made by soldiers in times of war. The poem raises important questions about the value of recognition, the true meaning of sacrifice, and the impact of war on families and loved ones. The poem is a reminder of the true cost of war and the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by those who have served their country. Despite being over a century old, Decorations remains relevant and poignant today, serving as a powerful reminder of the true value of a soldier's sacrifice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Decorations: A Poem of Love and War
Robert Service’s poem “Decorations” is a powerful and moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers in war. Written in 1918, during the final months of World War I, the poem captures the emotions and experiences of soldiers who fought and died for their country. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service creates a portrait of war that is both tragic and heroic.
The poem begins with a description of the decorations that soldiers wear on their uniforms. These decorations, such as medals and ribbons, are symbols of the bravery and courage of the soldiers who earned them. Service writes:
“Men fight and die for flags and nations, For sickly kings and pride; But they to whom the world's ovations Are naught--they fight beside.”
Here, Service is contrasting the motivations of soldiers who fight for their country with those who fight for personal gain or glory. The soldiers who are truly heroic, in Service’s view, are those who fight not for themselves, but for their comrades and their country.
Service goes on to describe the horrors of war, including the sound of gunfire and the sight of wounded soldiers. He writes:
“And there's the sound of ripping steel, And the hiss of flying lead, And the rending crash, and the mad appeal Of wounded and of dead.”
These lines capture the chaos and violence of war, as well as the suffering of those who are wounded or killed in battle. Service does not shy away from the gruesome realities of war, but instead confronts them head-on.
Despite the horrors of war, however, Service also celebrates the bravery and courage of soldiers. He writes:
“But there's a joy in hearts that know The splendour of the fray, The golden glamour, the rapturous glow, That never fades away.”
Here, Service is describing the sense of pride and accomplishment that soldiers feel when they fight for their country. Despite the danger and the suffering, there is a sense of glory and honor in being a soldier.
The poem ends with a powerful tribute to the soldiers who have died in battle. Service writes:
“And when our fighting days are done, And we from the field retire, We'll think of those who fought and won, And those who fell in the fire.”
These lines are a reminder that war is not just about victory or defeat, but about the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country. The soldiers who have died in battle are not forgotten, but are instead honored and remembered for their bravery and sacrifice.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s poem “Decorations” is a powerful and moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers in war. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service captures the emotions and experiences of soldiers who fought and died for their country. The poem is a reminder that war is not just about victory or defeat, but about the sacrifices that soldiers make for their comrades and their country. Despite the horrors of war, there is a sense of glory and honor in being a soldier, and those who have died in battle are not forgotten, but are instead honored and remembered for their bravery and sacrifice.
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