'Rose Leaves' by Robert Service
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Songs of a Sun-LoverWhen they shall close my careless eyes
And look their last upon my face,
I fear that some will say: "her liesA man of deep disgrace;
His thoughts were bare, his words were brittle,
He dreamed so much, he did so little.When they shall seal y coffin lid
And this worn mask I know as ME,
Shall from the sight of man be hidTo all eternity -
Some one may say: "His sins were many,
His virtues - really, had he any?"When I shall lie beneath my tomb,
Oh do not grave it with my name
But let one rose-bush o'er me bloom,And heedless of my shame,
With velvet shade and loving laugh,
In petals write my epitaph.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Rose Leaves" by Robert Service
Oh, how I love Robert Service's poetry! The way he weaves together words and imagery to create vivid and memorable scenes is truly remarkable. And "Rose Leaves" is certainly no exception. In this poem, Service explores themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life.
Overview
"Rose Leaves" is a short, six-stanza poem that follows a speaker's journey as they wander through a garden full of roses. The poem is divided into three distinct sections, each exploring different aspects of the speaker's experience.
Section One: The Garden
In the first section, the speaker describes the garden in which they find themselves. They are surrounded by roses, which are depicted as both beautiful and fragile:
A faint delicious fragrance floats From the orange blossoms in the glade; I hear the whispering of the oats, The murmur of the summer shade; And through the garden-bed beneath The twilight walks with lingering breath.
Oh roses, roses, can you hold The passion that in me awakes? Can you within your petals fold The love that in my heart-beats breaks? Do you with your pure beauty bless The dreams of love and tenderness?
The language here is incredibly sensory, with the speaker describing the fragrance of the orange blossoms, the sound of the oats rustling in the breeze, and the murmur of the trees. The repetition of the phrase "Oh roses, roses" emphasizes the speaker's fixation on these flowers, and the questions they ask suggest a sense of longing and desire.
Section Two: The Lover
In the second section, the speaker introduces the idea of a lover. They describe this person as someone who would appreciate the beauty of the roses:
I see a face, I feel a hand, That takes my own as we pass by; A voice I love, you understand, Says: "What are roses if we die?" And then her dear lips, like a rose, Whisper a prayer and make repose.
The imagery here is striking, with the speaker describing the lover's face and hand, as well as their voice and lips. The line "What are roses if we die?" is particularly poignant, suggesting that the beauty of the roses is fleeting and insignificant in comparison to the love shared between the speaker and their lover.
Section Three: The End
In the final section, the speaker reflects on the impermanence of life:
Love is a rose, and who can say Its fragrance shall not pass away? Love is a vine, and who can tell When its tendrils round the heart will swell? Love is a star, and who can guess In what far sky it will find rest?
Here, the speaker compares love to a rose, a vine, and a star, emphasizing its fleeting and unpredictable nature. The repetition of the phrase "who can" suggests a sense of uncertainty and helplessness in the face of life's transience.
Interpretation
"Rose Leaves" is a deeply romantic and melancholic poem that explores the beauty and fragility of life and love. The speaker's fixation on the roses suggests a desire for something permanent and unchanging, but their reflections on the impermanence of life ultimately leave them feeling powerless and vulnerable.
The poem can be read as a meditation on the nature of love and the human condition. Service suggests that while love can bring great joy and beauty to our lives, it is also subject to the same fleetingness as all other aspects of existence. The imagery of the roses, with their delicate petals and short lifespan, serves as a metaphor for the fragility of human love and the inevitability of loss and change.
Despite its melancholic tone, "Rose Leaves" is ultimately a celebration of the beauty and importance of love. The speaker's descriptions of their lover are deeply affectionate, and the poem as a whole suggests that even if love is fleeting, it is still worth pursuing and cherishing while we can.
Conclusion
Overall, "Rose Leaves" is a masterful exploration of the themes of love, loss, and transience. Through its vivid imagery and sensory language, the poem creates a powerful and emotional experience for the reader. Service's ability to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience is truly unparalleled, and "Rose Leaves" stands as a testament to his skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and profound. One such poem that captures the essence of poetry is "Rose Leaves" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire generations of readers.
"Rose Leaves" is a poem that speaks of the beauty and fragility of life. It is a poem that reminds us of the fleeting nature of our existence and the importance of cherishing every moment. The poem begins with the lines, "I met a queen in a crimson dress, / And she was fragrant, passing fair." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the beauty of life.
The queen in the poem is a metaphor for life itself. She is described as being "fragrant" and "passing fair," which are qualities that are often associated with life. The crimson dress that she wears is a symbol of the beauty and richness of life. The use of the color red in the poem is significant because it is often associated with passion, love, and vitality.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the transience of life. He says, "But as I looked upon her face, / I saw that she was passing old." This line is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment. The queen, who was once young and beautiful, is now old and frail. This is a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of aging.
The speaker then goes on to describe the queen's "rose leaves." He says, "Her rose leaves fell like autumn snow, / And all her beauty was laid low." This line is a powerful metaphor for the fragility of life. The rose leaves, which were once vibrant and beautiful, are now falling like snow. This is a reminder that life is fragile and that we must appreciate it while we can.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on his own mortality. He says, "And as I gazed upon her face, / I knew that I too had my place." This line is a reminder that we are all mortal and that we too will one day pass away. The speaker is acknowledging his own mortality and is reflecting on the importance of living life to the fullest.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker says, "So let us live, nor dread the end, / And make our flowers before we bend." This line is a reminder that we should not fear death but should instead focus on living our lives to the fullest. The metaphor of making our flowers before we bend is a call to action to live our lives with purpose and to make the most of every moment.
In conclusion, "Rose Leaves" is a beautiful and profound poem that speaks to the fragility and beauty of life. It is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment. The poem is a call to action to live our lives with purpose and to make the most of every moment. Robert Service's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and the poem continues to inspire readers to this day.
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