'Tourists' by Robert Service
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Rhymes for My RagsIn a strange town in a far landThey met amid a throng;
They stared, they could not understandHow life was sudden song.
As brown eyes looked in eyes of greyJust for a moment's space,
Twin spirits met with sweet dismayIn that strange place.And then the mob that swept them nearReft them away again;
Two hearts in all the world most dearKnew puzzlement and pain.
They barely brushed in passing by,A wildered girl and boy,
Who should have clasped with laughing cry,And wept for joy.But no, the crowd cleft them apart,And she went East, he West;
But there was havoc in his heartAnd brooding in her breast.
In a far land, in a strange townAmid a mob they met;
They stared, they passed . . . But O deep down,Can they forget?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tourists: A Masterpiece of Robert Service's Poetry
As a student of literature, I have always been fascinated by the works of Robert Service, and I must say that "Tourists" is one of his finest poems. In this 12-stanza poem, Service beautifully captures the essence of tourism, its impact on nature and culture, and the strange behavior of tourists.
Background
First, a little background on the poet. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is famous for his poems about the Yukon, where he spent a few years as a bank clerk. Service is known for his simple, direct, and narrative style, which made his poems accessible and popular among a wide range of readers.
"Tourists" is one of Service's later works, published in his collection "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man" in 1916. The poem was written during a time when tourism was becoming more popular and accessible, and Service was keenly aware of its impact on the places and people it touched.
Analysis
The poem begins with a description of a pristine mountain landscape. The speaker notes that the land is "virgin" and "wild," untouched by human hands. But this peaceful scene is soon disturbed by the arrival of tourists. The speaker notes that they come in "swarms," like "locusts" descending upon the land.
As the tourists arrive, they begin to behave strangely. They take photos of everything, even the most mundane things like rocks and trees. The speaker notes that they seem more interested in capturing the moment than experiencing it.
They photograph the rivers And they snap the mountains high, And they boast of how they conquered Where the eagles fear to fly.
The tourists are also oblivious to the impact they have on the environment. They leave trash behind and disrupt the natural balance of the land. The speaker notes that they "tramp the meadows underfoot," destroying the very thing they came to see.
They trample through the forests And they crush the clinging flowers, And they roar their ribald laughter At the birds and beasts and bowers.
As the tourists move on to the next destination, they leave behind a scarred and wounded landscape. The speaker notes that the land is "marred and mute" in their wake.
They hurry through the valleys And they hurry through the hills, And they hurry through the forests Where the world is hushed and still; And they chatter empty laughter And they cheer in silly glee, Till the virgin silence shatters With their reckless revelry.
The poet is clearly critical of tourism and its impact on the environment. He paints a picture of tourists as selfish and destructive, interested only in their own pleasure and not in the well-being of the places they visit.
But there is another layer to the poem as well. The speaker notes that the tourists are "vain," seeking to "prove to all the world what fools they be." This suggests that there is a deeper motivation for tourism beyond mere pleasure. Perhaps tourists are seeking validation, trying to prove that they are cultured and worldly.
The poem ends on a melancholy note, with the speaker lamenting the loss of the wild, untouched landscape that once existed. He notes that the land will never be the same, now that it has been "trampled by the tourist's feet."
Interpretation
So what can we take away from Service's poem? First, it is clear that he is critical of tourism and its impact on the environment. He sees tourists as destructive, leaving behind a scarred and wounded landscape.
But there is also a deeper message here. The poet suggests that tourists are seeking validation, trying to prove to themselves and others that they are cultured and worldly. This speaks to a larger theme in modern society – the need for validation through social status and achievement.
The poem also raises questions about our relationship with nature. Are we visitors or conquerors? Do we have a responsibility to preserve the natural world, or can we use it for our own pleasure and entertainment? These are important questions that we need to consider as we continue to explore and discover the world around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tourists" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of tourism and its impact on the environment. Service's simple and direct style makes the poem accessible to a wide range of readers, while his message is thought-provoking and relevant even today. As a lover of literature, I am grateful for the insights that Service's poetry provides, and I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Tourists: A Journey Through the Beauty of Words
If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have heard of Robert Service's "Poetry Tourists." This classic poem takes us on a journey through the beauty of words, exploring the power of poetry to transport us to new worlds and inspire us to see the world in a different light.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a group of tourists who are traveling through the countryside. They are a diverse group, hailing from different parts of the world, but they are all united by their love of poetry. As they travel, they recite their favorite poems, each one taking turns to share their passion for the written word.
Service's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem. He paints a vivid picture of the tourists as they journey through the countryside, describing the rolling hills and the winding roads that lead them on their way. The beauty of the natural world is a recurring theme in the poem, and Service uses it to highlight the power of poetry to capture the essence of the world around us.
As the tourists continue on their journey, they encounter a number of different obstacles. At one point, they come across a river that is too deep to cross. Undeterred, they recite a poem about the power of determination, and they find a way to cross the river safely. This moment is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire us to overcome adversity and to find strength in the face of difficulty.
Another striking moment in the poem comes when the tourists encounter a group of local people who are struggling to make ends meet. The tourists are moved by their plight, and they recite a poem about the importance of compassion and empathy. This moment highlights the power of poetry to connect us with others and to inspire us to make a difference in the world.
Throughout the poem, Service emphasizes the importance of poetry as a means of communication. He shows us how poetry can transcend language barriers and bring people together, even when they come from different parts of the world. The tourists in the poem may speak different languages, but they are united by their love of poetry, and this allows them to connect with one another on a deep and meaningful level.
In many ways, "Poetry Tourists" is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire us, to move us, and to connect us with the world around us. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language makes this poem a true masterpiece of the genre. It reminds us of the importance of poetry in our lives and of the ways in which it can help us to see the world in a new and exciting way.
In conclusion, "Poetry Tourists" is a classic poem that continues to inspire and move readers to this day. It is a testament to the power of poetry to transport us to new worlds, to connect us with others, and to inspire us to make a difference in the world. If you are a lover of poetry, then this is a poem that you simply cannot afford to miss.
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