'Someone's Mother' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckSomeone's Mother trails the street
Wrapt in rotted rags;
Broken slippers on her feet
Drearily she drags;
Drifting in the bitter night,
Gnawing gutter bread,
With a face of tallow white,
Listless as the dead.Someone's Mother in the dim
Of the grey church wall
Hears within a Christmas hymn,
One she can recall
From the h so long ago,
When divinely far,
in the holy alter glow
She would kneel in prayer.Someone's Mother, huddled there,
Had so sweet a dream;
Seemed the sky was Heaven's stair,
Golden and agleam,
Robed in gown Communion bright,
Singingly she trod
Up and up the stair of light,
And thee was waiting - God.Someone's Mother cowers down
By the old church wall;
Soft above the sleeping town
Snow begins to fall;
Now her rags are lily fair,
but unproud is she:
Someone's Mother is not there . . .
Lo! she climbs the starry stair
Only angels see.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Someone's Mother" by Robert Service: A Heartfelt Tribute to the Power of Motherhood
As one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, Robert Service has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his visceral and unapologetic works that explore the human experience in all its complexity. Among his most beloved works is "Someone's Mother," a poem that speaks to the universal power of motherhood and the profound impact that mothers have on the lives of their children.
At its core, "Someone's Mother" is a tribute to the selflessness, love, and sacrifice that mothers make every day for their children. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Service paints a portrait of a mother who is at once strong and courageous, yet gentle and nurturing. He captures the essence of motherhood in all its beauty and complexity, and in doing so, he reminds us of the importance of honoring and cherishing the mothers in our lives.
A Tale of Love and Sacrifice
The poem begins with the line "The woman in the booth across from mine" (Service 1), a simple yet powerful opening that immediately draws the reader into the narrative. Through the use of second-person narration, Service invites the reader to imagine themselves in the speaker's shoes, observing the woman across from them and experiencing her story firsthand.
As the poem unfolds, we learn that the woman is a mother who is traveling to see her son who is "lying stark and dead" (Service 4) in a hospital far away. Despite the pain and heartache that she must be feeling, she remains stoic and composed, "smiling bravely through her tears" (Service 2) and "holding fast to courage" (Service 3).
Through this portrayal, Service captures the essence of motherhood as a selfless act of love and sacrifice. The woman's unwavering determination to be with her son in his final moments speaks to the depth of her love for him and her willingness to do whatever it takes to comfort and support him, even in death.
The Power of Metaphor
One of the most striking features of "Someone's Mother" is Service's use of vivid, evocative metaphors to capture the essence of motherhood. For example, he compares the woman's hands to "two gnarled and knotted branches" (Service 5), a metaphor that conveys both the physical toll of motherhood and the strength and resilience that mothers possess.
Similarly, he compares the woman's face to a "garden grown with care" (Service 8), a metaphor that speaks to the nurturing and tender nature of motherhood. Through these metaphors, Service captures the complexity of motherhood as a physical, emotional, and spiritual experience that shapes not only the lives of mothers themselves but the lives of their children as well.
A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere
Ultimately, "Someone's Mother" is a tribute to mothers everywhere, a reminder of the profound impact that they have on our lives and the world around us. Through his powerful imagery and heartfelt tribute, Service captures the essence of motherhood in all its beauty and complexity, celebrating the selflessness, love, and sacrifice that mothers make every day.
As we read this poem, we are reminded of the mothers in our own lives and the ways in which they have shaped us into the people we are today. We are called to honor and cherish them, to thank them for the countless hours of love and sacrifice that they have given us, and to carry their legacy forward in our own lives.
In the end, "Someone's Mother" is a timeless reminder of the power of love and the transformative impact that mothers can have on our lives. As we celebrate this beautiful and moving tribute to motherhood, we are called to honor and cherish the mothers in our lives and to carry their legacy forward in all that we do.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Introduction
Robert Service is a renowned poet who has written several poems that have stood the test of time. One of his most famous works is "Someone's Mother." This poem is a touching tribute to the selfless love and sacrifice of mothers. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in "Someone's Mother."
Themes
The central theme of "Someone's Mother" is the unconditional love and sacrifice of mothers. The poem highlights the selfless nature of mothers who put their children's needs before their own. The speaker in the poem describes a mother who is old and frail, yet still manages to take care of her son. She cooks his meals, cleans his clothes, and tends to his needs, even though she is weak and tired. The poem shows that a mother's love is not limited by age or physical limitations.
Another theme in the poem is the passing of time. The speaker describes the mother as being "old and bent and gray and wrinkled." This description emphasizes the idea that time is fleeting and that we should cherish the moments we have with our loved ones. The poem reminds us that our parents will not always be with us, and we should appreciate them while they are still alive.
Structure
"Someone's Mother" is a free verse poem that consists of four stanzas. Each stanza has a different number of lines, ranging from three to six. The poem has a simple structure, with each stanza focusing on a different aspect of the mother's life. The first stanza describes the mother's appearance, the second stanza describes her daily routine, the third stanza describes her relationship with her son, and the fourth stanza reflects on the mother's life and legacy.
The poem has a conversational tone, as if the speaker is talking directly to the reader. The use of simple language and short lines makes the poem easy to read and understand. The poem's structure and tone contribute to its overall message of the importance of mothers and the passing of time.
Literary Devices
Service uses several literary devices in "Someone's Mother" to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The speaker uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the mother's appearance and daily routine. For example, the line "Her hair was thin and gray" creates a clear image of the mother's hair. The use of imagery helps the reader to visualize the mother and her surroundings, making the poem more engaging and memorable.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "Someone's mother" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that the mother is not just a nameless old woman, but someone who is loved and cherished by her son. The repetition also creates a sense of universality, as the poem speaks to the experience of all mothers and their children.
Service also uses metaphor in the poem. The line "Her hands were worn and rough" is a metaphor for the mother's hard work and sacrifice. The metaphor helps to convey the idea that the mother's hands have been worn down by years of caring for her son. The use of metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it more thought-provoking and meaningful.
Conclusion
"Someone's Mother" is a beautiful and touching poem that celebrates the love and sacrifice of mothers. The poem's simple structure, conversational tone, and use of literary devices make it easy to read and understand, while also conveying a powerful message about the importance of cherishing our loved ones. The poem reminds us that our parents will not always be with us, and we should appreciate them while they are still alive. Overall, "Someone's Mother" is a timeless tribute to the selfless love of mothers, and a reminder of the fleeting nature of time.
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