'Wounded' by Robert Service


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Rhymes of a Red Cross ManIs it not strange? A year ago to-day,With scarce a thought beyond the hum-drum round,
I did my decent job and earned my pay;Was averagely happy, I'll be bound.
Ay, in my little groove I was content,Seeing my life run smoothly to the end,
With prosy days in stolid labour spent,And jolly nights, a pipe, a glass, a friend.
In God's good time a hearth fire's cosy gleam,A wife and kids, and all a fellow needs;
When presto! like a bubble goes my dream:I leap upon the Stage of Splendid Deeds.
I yell with rage; I wallow deep in gore:I, that was clerk in a drysalter's store.Stranger than any book I've ever read.Here on the reeking battlefield I lie,
Under the stars, propped up with smeary dead,Like too, if no one takes me in, to die.
Hit on the arms, legs, liver, lungs and gall;Damn glad there's nothing more of me to hit;
But calm, and feeling never pain at all,And full of wonder at the turn of it.
For of the dead around me three are mine,Three foemen vanquished in the whirl of fight;
So if I die I have no right to whine,I feel I've done my little bit all right.
I don't know how -- but there the beggars are,As dead as herrings pickled in a jar.And here am I, worse wounded than I thought;For in the fight a bullet bee-like stings;
You never heed; the air is metal-hot,And all alive with little flicking wings.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Wounded: A Deeply Moving Poetry by Robert Service

What is the essence of poetry? Is it the depth of emotions that it evokes? Or is it the skillful employment of language and style to express ideas and feelings? Whatever the answer may be, Robert Service's poem "Wounded" is a perfect exemplar of what a great poem should be.

Robert Service was a prolific writer who lived in the early 20th century. He is widely known for his poems that depict the rugged life of the Yukon and the hardships of the people who lived there. "Wounded" is one of his most famous poems, and it is not hard to see why. The poem is a poignant portrayal of the human experience of pain and suffering, and it speaks to readers on a deeply emotional level.

The Poem: A Brief Summary

"Wounded" is a poem that tells the story of a soldier who has been injured in battle. The poem begins by describing the soldier's physical wounds: "His back was bent beneath his load; / His feet were bleeding from the road." The soldier is clearly in a great deal of pain, but the poem quickly reveals that his physical wounds are not the only ones he is suffering from.

The soldier's mental and emotional wounds are just as severe. He is haunted by memories of the battle, and he is struggling to come to terms with what he has experienced. The poem describes the soldier's inner turmoil in vivid detail: "He hugged his breast, he coughed and cried; / And at his side the blood streamed wide."

Despite his pain and suffering, the soldier finds comfort in the thought that he has done his duty. He knows that he has fought for his country and for the people he loves, and this brings him a sense of peace. The poem ends on a hopeful note, with the soldier looking forward to the day when he can return home and be reunited with his loved ones.

The Themes: Pain, Suffering, and Duty

One of the main themes of "Wounded" is the human experience of pain and suffering. Robert Service does an excellent job of portraying the physical and emotional pain that the soldier is feeling. The vivid descriptions of the soldier's bleeding feet and streaming blood leave little doubt about the severity of his physical injuries. But the poem is even more powerful in its depiction of the soldier's emotional wounds.

The soldier is clearly traumatized by what he has experienced in battle. He is haunted by memories of the conflict, and he is struggling to come to terms with the violence and death that he has witnessed. The line "He hugged his breast, he coughed and cried" is particularly telling, as it suggests that the soldier is not just in physical pain, but is also experiencing a deep sense of emotional distress.

Despite his pain and suffering, the soldier remains committed to his duty. This is another important theme of the poem: the idea that duty and responsibility can provide comfort and solace even in the most difficult of circumstances. The soldier knows that he has fought for his country and for the people he loves, and this gives him a sense of purpose and meaning. It is this sense of duty that allows him to endure his pain and suffering with dignity and grace.

The Language and Style: A Masterful Use of Imagery and Repetition

One of the most striking aspects of "Wounded" is the poem's masterful use of imagery and repetition. Robert Service employs a wide range of vivid and evocative images to paint a picture of the soldier's pain and suffering. The bleeding feet, the streaming blood, and the soldier's coughing and crying are just a few examples of the powerful imagery that Service uses to convey the soldier's experience.

Service also makes excellent use of repetition in the poem. The repeated use of the phrase "he hugged his breast" emphasizes the soldier's emotional distress and the depth of his pain. The repetition of the word "wounded" throughout the poem serves to underscore the central theme of the poem and to reinforce the idea that the soldier's wounds are both physical and emotional.

The Overall Impression: A Poem that Resonates with Readers

In conclusion, "Wounded" is a deeply moving poem that resonates with readers on a profound level. Robert Service's masterful use of language and imagery, combined with his sensitive portrayal of the human experience of pain and suffering, makes this poem a true masterpiece of literature. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, "Wounded" is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions. It has the power to evoke feelings and touch the soul of the reader. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Wounded" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human suffering and the power of hope.

The poem "Wounded" is a narrative of a soldier who has been wounded in battle. The poem begins with the soldier lying on the battlefield, wounded and in pain. The soldier is surrounded by death and destruction, and he is left to ponder the meaning of life and the purpose of war. The soldier's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a bugle, which signifies the end of the battle. The soldier is relieved that the battle is over, but he is still in pain and unsure of his fate.

The soldier's thoughts then turn to his family and loved ones. He wonders if he will ever see them again and if they will remember him. The soldier's thoughts are filled with regret and sadness, as he realizes that he may never have the chance to say goodbye to his loved ones. The soldier's thoughts then turn to his comrades who have died in battle. He wonders if their sacrifice was worth it and if their deaths will be remembered.

The soldier's thoughts then turn to the future. He wonders if he will ever be able to walk again and if he will be able to live a normal life. The soldier's thoughts are filled with uncertainty and fear, as he realizes that his life will never be the same again. The soldier then hears the sound of a bird singing, which gives him hope. The soldier realizes that even in the midst of death and destruction, there is still beauty in the world.

The poem "Wounded" is a powerful commentary on the human condition. It captures the essence of human suffering and the power of hope. The soldier's thoughts and emotions are universal, and they resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and beauty in the world.

The poem "Wounded" is also a commentary on the futility of war. The soldier's thoughts about the purpose of war and the sacrifice of his comrades are poignant and thought-provoking. The poem is a reminder that war only brings death and destruction, and that the true cost of war is measured in human lives.

The poem "Wounded" is also a commentary on the power of nature. The soldier's thoughts about the bird singing in the midst of death and destruction are a reminder that nature has the power to heal and inspire. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty in the world.

The poem "Wounded" is a masterpiece of poetry. It captures the essence of human suffering and the power of hope. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty in the world. The poem is a commentary on the futility of war and the power of nature. The poem is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of readers for generations to come.

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