'Two Words' by Robert Service
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'God' is composed of letters three,
But if you put an 'l'
Before the last it seems to me
A synonym for Hell.
For all of envy, greed and hate
The human heart can hold
Respond unto the devil's bait
Of Gold.
When God created Gold to be
For our adorning fit,
I little think he dreamed that we
Would come to worship it.
But when you ruefully have scanned
The chronicles of Time,
You'll find that lucre lends a hand
To Crime.
So if you are a millionaire,
To be of Heaven sure,
Give every penny you can spare
Unto the sick and poor.
From Gold strike out the evil 'ell,'
And so with letters odd
You can with peace of spirit spell
Just GOD.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Two Words: A Masterpiece of Lyricism and Irony
As soon as I read the title of the poem, "Two Words" by Robert Service, I knew I was in for a treat. A master of narrative and lyric poetry, Service's work always manages to touch the core of the human experience. What could these two words be? I wondered, as I began to read. And, boy, was I in for a surprise.
The Irony of the Title
The first thing that stands out about this poem is the irony of its title. "Two Words" seems to imply something simple, unassuming, maybe even trivial. But as you get deeper into the poem, you realize that these two words are anything but. In fact, they are two of the most powerful words in any language: "Love" and "Hate". What a fascinating contrast! The two words that are polar opposites, yet so closely linked in their intensity.
The Structure of the Poem
Service's choice of structure for this poem is also noteworthy. He uses a simple ABB rhyme scheme, which gives the poem a sing-song quality, almost like a nursery rhyme. And yet, the subject matter is far from childish. This contrast between form and content creates a tension that adds to the power of the poem.
The Power of Love
Service begins the poem with a description of the power of love. He describes it as "a flame that burns in every heart", and goes on to say that it "can warm the coldest day and charm the sorrowing heart". The imagery here is incredibly vivid and evocative. You can almost feel the warmth of the flame, and the way it can melt even the coldest heart. This is the kind of love that brings people together, that creates families and communities, that makes life worth living.
The Destructive Force of Hate
But then, in the very next stanza, Service switches gears and takes us into the dark world of hate. He describes it as "a poison that seeps into the soul", and goes on to say that it "can turn the sweetest heart to stone". Again, the imagery is incredibly powerful. You can almost feel the poison seeping into your own soul, and the way it can harden even the softest heart. This is the kind of hate that tears people apart, that creates wars and divides nations, that makes life unbearable.
The Irony of the Two Words
And yet, despite the stark contrast between love and hate, Service reminds us that these two words are intimately connected. He shows us how love can turn to hate, and how hate can turn to love. "Two words only, but what of it?" he asks. "Sometimes a heart is split in two". The irony of the two words is that they are not really opposites at all, but rather two sides of the same coin.
The Ambiguity of the Ending
The ending of the poem is both ambiguous and powerful. Service writes, "Say them over and over again, till the words become like a song". It's not clear whether he is urging us to say "love" or "hate", or both. Is he suggesting that we should embrace both sides of our nature? Or is he warning us about the danger of letting one side overpower the other? This ambiguity is part of what makes the poem so thought-provoking.
The Timelessness of the Poem
Finally, I want to say something about the timelessness of this poem. Although it was written almost a century ago, it still speaks to us today. Love and hate are still the most powerful forces in our lives, and we still struggle to find a balance between them. As long as human beings exist, these two words will continue to be relevant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Two Words" is a masterpiece of lyricism and irony. Service's use of imagery, structure, and language make the poem both beautiful and thought-provoking. The contrast between love and hate, the irony of the two words, the ambiguity of the ending, and the timelessness of the poem all contribute to its power. It's no wonder that this poem has endured for almost a century, and will continue to endure for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Two Words by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is full of emotion, and it speaks to the heart of every reader who has ever experienced the pain of loss. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in the poem.
The poem is about a man who has lost his love, and he is struggling to come to terms with his loss. The poem begins with the man sitting alone in his room, staring at a photograph of his lost love. He is filled with sadness and despair, and he cannot find the words to express his feelings.
The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. "It's a strange feeling, sitting here with you," the man says to the photograph. This line is significant because it shows that the man is talking to the photograph as if it were his lost love. He is trying to connect with her in some way, even though she is no longer there.
The poem is full of symbolism, and one of the most significant symbols is the photograph. The photograph represents the man's lost love, and it is a reminder of what he has lost. The photograph is also a symbol of the past, and it shows that the man is stuck in the past. He cannot move on from his loss, and he is trapped in his memories.
The man's struggle to find the right words to express his feelings is another significant theme in the poem. He says, "I'm trying to find the words to say, but they all seem so trite." This line shows that the man is struggling to express his emotions, and he feels that the words he has are not enough. This struggle is something that many people can relate to, as it can be challenging to find the right words to express our deepest emotions.
The poem also explores the theme of love and loss. The man says, "I loved you more than words can say, and now you're gone." This line shows that the man loved his lost love deeply, and he is struggling to come to terms with her loss. The theme of love and loss is one that is universal, and it is something that everyone experiences at some point in their lives.
The poem is also full of literary devices, and one of the most significant devices used is repetition. The man repeats the phrase "two words" throughout the poem, and this repetition creates a sense of urgency and importance. The repetition of this phrase also shows that the man is searching for something, and he believes that these two words will help him find it.
The use of imagery is another literary device used in the poem. The man says, "I see your face in every crowd, and hear your voice in every sound." This line creates a vivid image in the reader's mind, and it shows how the man's lost love is always with him, even though she is no longer there.
The poem also uses metaphors to convey its message. The man says, "You were the sun that lit my day, and now you're gone, the skies are grey." This metaphor shows how the man's lost love was the source of his happiness, and without her, his life is dull and grey.
The poem's structure is also significant, as it is a free verse poem. This structure allows the poet to express his emotions freely, without being constrained by a specific rhyme or meter. The free verse structure also adds to the poem's emotional impact, as it creates a sense of rawness and honesty.
In conclusion, Two Words by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the themes of love and loss, the struggle to express emotions, and the power of memories. The poem's use of symbolism, literary devices, and structure creates a powerful emotional impact on the reader. The poem is a reminder that even though we may lose someone we love, their memory will always be with us, and we can find comfort in that.
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