'Ruins' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckRuins in Rome are four a penny,
And here along the Appian Way
I see the monuments of many
Esteemed almighty in their day. . . .
Or so he makes me understand -
My glib guide of the rubber bus,
And tells me with a gesture grand:
"Behold! the tomb of Romulus."Whereat I stared with eyes of awe,
And yet a whit dismayed was I,
When on its crumbling wall I saw
A washing hanging out to dry;
Yea, that relict of slow decay,
With peristyle and gnarly frieze,
Was garnished with a daft display
Of bifurcation and chemise.But as we went our Southward way
Another ruin soon I saw;
No antique tower, gaunt and grey,
But modern manor rubbled raw;
And on its sill a maiden sat,
And told me in a tone of rue:
It was your allied bombs did that . . .
But do not think we're blaming you."Thought I: Time is more kind than we
Who blot out beauty with a blow;
And truly it was sad to see
A gracious mansion levelled low . . .
While moulderings of ancient Rome
Still serve the peasants for their swine,
We do not leave a lovely home
A wall to hang a washing line.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ruins: A Poetic Journey Into the Past with Robert Service

Introduction

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, transcend time and space, and capture the essence of the human experience. Robert Service's poem, "Ruins," is a testament to the power of poetry. The poem takes us on a poetic journey that explores the ruins of a once-great civilization, and in doing so, reminds us of the impermanence of life, the cycle of rise and fall, and the beauty of fleeting moments. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in "Ruins" and demonstrate how Service's poem captures the essence of the human experience.

Themes

The themes in "Ruins" are universal and timeless. The poem explores the transitory nature of life, the inevitability of decay and decline, and the beauty of fleeting moments. "Ruins" also touches on the theme of the cyclical nature of history, as the poem describes the rise and fall of a civilization. Finally, the poem explores the theme of the human impulse to leave a mark on the world, to create something enduring that will outlast our brief lives.

Service's poem is a meditation on the transient nature of life. The ruins of the civilization represent the impermanence of all things, including human life. The narrator muses on the fact that the people who built the civilization are long gone, while the ruins remain, a testament to their fleeting existence. The narrator reflects on the cyclical nature of life, noting that all things must eventually decay and decline, just as the civilization did.

Imagery

Service's use of imagery in "Ruins" is masterful. The poem is rich with vivid descriptions that bring the ruins to life. The imagery in the poem also serves to reinforce the themes of transience and decay. The narrator describes the ruins as "crumbling," "mouldering," and "decayed," conveying the idea that nothing lasts forever.

The poem is also filled with natural imagery. The narrator describes "the weed that wreathes the wall," "the ivy and the vine," and the "blossoming thorn." These natural images serve to reinforce the idea that life goes on, even as civilizations rise and fall. Service's use of natural imagery is reminiscent of the Romantics, who saw nature as a source of comfort and inspiration.

Symbolism

The ruins in "Ruins" are powerful symbols that represent the impermanence of life and the inevitability of decay and decline. The ruins are also symbols of the cyclical nature of history, as they represent the rise and fall of a civilization. Finally, the ruins are symbols of the human impulse to leave a mark on the world, to create something enduring that will outlast our brief lives.

The narrator's musings on the ruins serve to reinforce these various symbolic meanings. The narrator notes that the people who built the civilization are long gone, while the ruins remain. This serves to reinforce the idea that all things, including human life, are impermanent. The narrator also reflects on the cyclical nature of history, noting that all civilizations eventually decline. Finally, the narrator reflects on the human impulse to leave a mark on the world, noting that even in ruins, the civilization has left behind something enduring.

Conclusion

In "Ruins," Robert Service has created a powerful poem that explores universal themes and captures the essence of the human experience. The poem's vivid imagery and powerful symbolism serve to reinforce the themes of transience, decay, and the cyclical nature of history. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry, reminding us of the impermanence of life and the beauty of fleeting moments. Through "Ruins," Service has created a work of art that will endure long after the ruins have crumbled away.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Ruins: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across Robert Service's Poetry Ruins. This classic poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire generations of poets and readers alike. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Service to create a timeless piece of art.

The poem opens with a vivid description of a ruined city, with its crumbling walls and broken towers. Service's use of imagery is powerful, as he paints a picture of a once-great civilization that has fallen into decay. The city is now a ghost town, with no signs of life or activity. The poet's use of the word "ruins" in the title of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, as it suggests that something once beautiful has been destroyed and left to decay.

As the poem progresses, Service introduces the idea of poetry as a means of preserving the past. He writes, "But poetry, immortal spark, / Shall bid the ruins live again." Here, the poet suggests that poetry has the power to bring the past back to life, to resurrect the memories and stories of those who came before us. This idea is central to the poem, as Service argues that poetry is a way of keeping the past alive, even when everything else has crumbled to dust.

The poem's structure is also worth noting. Service uses a consistent rhyme scheme throughout the piece, with each stanza following an ABAB pattern. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which adds to the poem's musicality. The use of rhyme also helps to emphasize certain words and phrases, making them stand out and giving them greater impact.

Service also employs a number of literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning. For example, he uses personification to give life to the ruins themselves. He writes, "The ruins, like a wounded thing, / Doth stagger and complain." Here, the ruins are given human qualities, as they are described as being wounded and complaining. This creates a sense of empathy for the ruins, as if they are living beings that have been mistreated and left to suffer.

Another literary device used by Service is metaphor. He writes, "The poet's voice, a clarion clear, / Shall ring through all the ages." Here, the poet's voice is compared to a clarion, a type of trumpet used in medieval times to signal important events. This metaphor suggests that the poet's words are just as important and powerful as the sound of a trumpet, and that they will be heard and remembered for generations to come.

Service also uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and repetition. For example, he writes, "The poet's pen, a magic wand, / Shall write in fiery letters." Here, the repeated use of the "p" sound creates a sense of momentum and energy, as if the poet's pen is a powerful force that cannot be stopped.

In conclusion, Poetry Ruins is a masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery, consistent rhyme scheme, and literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and alliteration, all work together to create a powerful and timeless piece of art. The poem's central message, that poetry has the power to preserve the past and keep it alive for future generations, is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. If you haven't read Poetry Ruins yet, do yourself a favor and experience this classic piece of poetry for yourself.

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