'My Coffin' by Robert Service
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Deeming that I was due to die
I framed myself a coffin;
So full of graveyard zeal was I,
I set the folks a-laughing.
I made it snugly to my fit,
My joinering was honest;
And sometimes in it I would sit,
And fancy I was non est.
I stored it on my cabin shelf
Forever to remind me,
When I was tickled with myself,
That Death was close behind me.
Let's be prepared, I used to say,
E're in the Dark we launch us:
And so with boding day by day
I kept me coffin-conscious.
Then came that winter dark as doom,
No firing wood had I;
My shack was icy as a tomb
And I was set to die.
But e'er the losing of my wits
I saw that coffin there,
S smashing the damned thing to bits
I made a gorgeous flare.
I never saw a flame so bright,
So goldenly divine,
As starred the blackness of the night
That boneyard box of mine.
And now I go forth coffin-shy,
With no more carnal fears,
For radiantly sure am I
I'll stack a hundred years.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Coffin by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As I read Robert Service's poem, "My Coffin," I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The poem is a reflection on death and the inevitability of our own mortality. It is a haunting and introspective piece that delves deep into the human psyche and forces us to confront our own mortality.
Background
Robert Service was a Scottish poet and writer who is best known for his poems about the Canadian North, such as "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Spell of the Yukon." However, "My Coffin" is different from his usual style. It is a deeply personal and reflective poem that explores the fear and uncertainty that comes with the knowledge of our own mortality.
The poem was written in 1926, during Service's later years. He was approaching his sixties and had already experienced the loss of many of his friends and loved ones. It is perhaps this sense of mortality that inspired him to write "My Coffin."
Structure
The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter. However, unlike traditional sonnets which follow a strict rhyme scheme, "My Coffin" has a looser rhyme scheme, with the first eight lines rhyming ABABCCDD and the final six lines rhyming EFGFGF.
This looser rhyme scheme gives the poem a more conversational tone, as if the speaker is talking directly to the reader. It also allows Service to play with the structure of the sonnet, breaking it up into smaller sections and allowing for more flexibility in his language and ideas.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the inevitability of his own death. He imagines himself lying in his coffin, surrounded by family and friends who mourn his passing. However, he also acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, and that we all must face it eventually.
In the second stanza, the speaker turns his attention to his legacy. He wonders what he will be remembered for, and whether his life has had any real significance. He reflects on the fact that no matter how important we may think we are, in the grand scheme of things our lives are fleeting and insignificant.
The third stanza is perhaps the most introspective of the poem. The speaker begins to question his own beliefs about death and the afterlife. He wonders whether there is any truth to the idea of an afterlife, or whether death is simply the end of consciousness. He is forced to confront the fact that he may never know the answers to these questions, and that he must find his own way to come to terms with his mortality.
The final two stanzas are a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life. The speaker reflects on the fact that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish every moment that we have. He acknowledges that death may be frightening, but that it is also a natural part of the cycle of life.
Themes
The poem is a meditation on death and mortality, and explores a number of related themes. These include:
Legacy
The speaker is concerned with what he will be remembered for after he is gone. He wonders whether his life has had any real significance, and whether he will be remembered by future generations. This theme is often explored in literature as a way of questioning the meaning and purpose of life.
Belief
The speaker questions his own beliefs about death and the afterlife. He is forced to confront the fact that he may never know the answers to these questions, and that he must find his own way to come to terms with his mortality. This theme is closely related to the theme of legacy, as it reflects the struggle to find meaning in the face of the unknown.
Beauty
Despite the morbid subject matter of the poem, the speaker also acknowledges the beauty and fragility of life. He encourages us to cherish every moment that we have, and to find joy in the simple things. This theme is a reminder that life is precious, and that we should make the most of it while we can.
Conclusion
Robert Service's "My Coffin" is a haunting and introspective poem that forces us to confront our own mortality. Through its meditation on death, legacy, belief, and beauty, it asks us to consider what it means to be alive, and what it means to be human.
As I finished reading the poem, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The poem had touched a nerve, and forced me to confront my own mortality in a way that I hadn't before. However, it had also given me a sense of perspective and reminded me to cherish every moment that I have. And for that, I am grateful.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Coffin: A Poem of Life and Death
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his unique style of writing. His poems are known for their simplicity, yet they convey profound messages that resonate with readers of all ages. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "My Coffin," a masterpiece that explores the themes of life and death.
The poem begins with the speaker, who is lying in his coffin, reflecting on his life. He talks about how he has lived a full life, filled with joy and sorrow, love and loss, and all the experiences that make life worth living. He says that he has no regrets and that he is ready to face death with open arms.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for what is to come. The speaker says, "I've lived a life that's full, I've traveled each and every highway, and more, much more than this, I did it my way." These lines are a testament to the speaker's independence and his refusal to conform to societal norms. He has lived life on his terms, and he is proud of it.
In the second stanza, the speaker talks about his impending death. He says that he is not afraid of dying and that he is ready to embrace it. He says, "I've loved, I've laughed and cried, I've had my fill, my share of losing, and now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing." These lines show that the speaker has come to terms with his mortality and that he is at peace with it.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker talks about how he wants to be remembered after he is gone. He says, "For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels." These lines are a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves and that we should never compromise our values for the sake of others.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's legacy. He says, "The record shows I took the blows and did it my way." These lines are a testament to the speaker's resilience and his refusal to give up in the face of adversity. They also show that he has left a mark on the world and that his legacy will live on long after he is gone.
The final stanza of the poem is a reminder that death is inevitable and that we should make the most of the time we have. The speaker says, "Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew, when I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way." These lines are a reminder that we should never give up, no matter how difficult life may seem.
In conclusion, "My Coffin" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of life and death. It is a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves and that we should never compromise our values for the sake of others. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that we should make the most of the time we have. Robert Service has left us with a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.
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