'New Year's Eve' by Robert Service
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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesIt's cruel cold on the water-front, silent and dark and drear;Only the black tide weltering, only the hissing snow;
And I, alone, like a storm-tossed wreck, on this night of the glad New Year,Shuffling along in the icy wind, ghastly and gaunt and slow.They're playing a tune in McGuffy's saloon, and it's cheery and bright in there(God! but I'm weak -- since the bitter dawn, and never a bite of food);
I'll just go over and slip inside -- I mustn't give way to despair --Perhaps I can bum a little booze if the boys are feeling good.They'll jeer at me, and they'll sneer at me, and they'll call me a whiskey soak;("Have a drink? Well, thankee kindly, sir, I don't mind if I do.")
A drivelling, dirty, gin-joint fiend, the butt of the bar-room joke;Sunk and sodden and hopeless -- "Another? Well, here's to you!"McGuffy is showing a bunch of the boys how Bob Fitzsimmons hit;The barman is talking of Tammany Hall, and why the ward boss got fired.
I'll just sneak into a corner and they'll let me alone a bit;The room is reeling round and round . . .O God! but I'm tired, I'm tired. . . .* * * * *Roses she wore on her breast that night. Oh, but their scent was sweet!Alone we sat on the balcony, and the fan-palms arched above;
The witching strain of a waltz by Strauss came up to our cool retreat,And I prisoned her little hand in mine, and I whispered my plea of love.Then sudden the laughter died on her lips, and lowly she bent her head;And oh, there came in the deep, dark eyes a look that was heaven to see;
And the moments went, and I waited there, and never a word was said,And she plucked from her bosom a rose of red and shyly gave it to me.Then the music swelled to a crash of joy, and the lights blazed up like day,And I held her fast to my throbbing heart, and I kissed her bonny brow.
"She is mine, she is mine for evermore!" the violins seemed to say,And the bells were ringing the New Year in -- O God! I can hear them now.Don't you remember that long, last waltz, with its sobbing, sad refrain?Don't you remember that last good-by, and the dear eyes dim with tears?
Don't you remember that golden dream, with never a hint of pain,Of lives that would blend like an angel-song in the bliss of the coming years?Oh, what have I lost! What have I lost! Ethel, forgive, forgive!The red, red rose is faded now, and it's fifty years ago.
'Twere better to die a thousand deaths than live each day as I live!I have sinned, I have sunk to the lowest depths -- but oh, I have suffered so!Hark! Oh, hark! I can hear the bells! . . . Look! I can see her there,Fair as a dream . . . but it fades . . . And now -- I can hear the dreadful hum
Of the crowded court . . . See! the Judge looks down . . .NOT GUILTY, my Lord, I swear . . .
The bells -- I can hear the bells again! . . . Ethel, I come, I come! . . .* * * * *"Rouse up, old man, it's twelve o'clock. You can't sleep here, you know.Say! ain't you got no sentiment? Lift up your muddled head;
Have a drink to the glad New Year, a drop before you go --You darned old dirty hobo . . . My God! Here, boys! He's DEAD!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Celebration of Life and Renewal: A Literary Interpretation of Robert Service's "New Year's Eve"
As the clock strikes twelve and the world prepares to welcome the new year, Robert Service's "New Year's Eve" captures the essence of this momentous occasion through his eloquent and poignant poetry. With vivid imagery and rhythmic verses, Service creates a poetic masterpiece that celebrates the power of hope, renewal, and the cycle of life. In this literary analysis, we will delve deeper into the themes, poetic techniques, and metaphorical language used by Service to interpret the meaning and significance of "New Year's Eve."
The Theme of Hope and Renewal
At its core, "New Year's Eve" is a celebration of hope and renewal. The poem invites us to reflect on the past year, with its trials and tribulations, and to look forward to the new year with a sense of optimism and possibility. Service captures this theme through his use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language, creating a powerful and uplifting message that resonates with readers.
In the opening lines of the poem, Service paints a picture of the world on the brink of a new year, with the old year fading away into memory:
There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night—
Ten to make and the match to win—
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
Here, Service uses a metaphor drawn from the world of sports to convey the sense of anticipation and excitement that accompanies the arrival of the new year. The "bumping pitch and a blinding light" evoke the image of a tense sports match, while the captain's exhortation to "play up" creates a sense of urgency and motivation.
As the poem progresses, Service shifts his focus to the idea of renewal and the opportunity for a new beginning. He writes:
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
Here, Service suggests that the true meaning of the new year lies not in material rewards or personal glory, but in the opportunity to start anew and to strive towards one's goals with renewed vigor and determination. The captain's hand on the player's shoulder represents the guiding influence of hope and renewal, urging us to embrace the new year with a sense of purpose and direction.
The Power of Metaphorical Language
Throughout "New Year's Eve," Service uses metaphorical language to create a rich and layered poetic tapestry, conveying meaning and emotion through images and symbols that resonate with readers on a deep level.
One example of this is the metaphor of the "white road" that Service uses to describe the passage of time and the journey of life. He writes:
The white road westward seems to pour
Like a river of molten silver down;
And the moon, like a yellow-bellied rat,
Skulks through the cactus, low in the ground.
Here, the "white road" represents the passage of time, while the moon represents the elusive and fleeting nature of life itself. The cactus, meanwhile, suggests the obstacles and challenges that we encounter along the way. Together, these images create a powerful metaphor for the journey of life, with its ups and downs, challenges and opportunities.
Another example of Service's use of metaphor can be found in his description of the New Year's Eve festivities:
A touch on the arm, a warmth in the eyes,
The tender stealth of a shy caress,
And the world is changed, by the subtle ties
Of a little human tenderness.
Here, Service uses the metaphor of a "little human tenderness" to describe the power of love and connection in transforming the world around us. The "touch on the arm" and the "shy caress" evoke images of intimacy and affection, while the phrase "subtle ties" suggests the way in which these connections bind us together as human beings.
The Rhythmic Verse and Its Significance
Service's poem is characterized by its rhythmic and musical qualities, with its use of rhyme, meter, and repetition creating a powerful and memorable effect. Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a musical and lyrical work of art.
One example of this is his use of rhyme, particularly the use of internal rhyme, which creates a sense of energy and momentum:
The white road westward seems to pour
Like a river of molten silver down;
And the moon, like a yellow-bellied rat,
Skulks through the cactus, low in the ground.
Here, the internal rhyme of "pour" and "silver" creates a sense of flow and movement, while the rhyme of "rat" and "ground" creates a sense of discord and uneasiness that reinforces the sense of uncertainty and anxiety that accompanies the arrival of the new year.
Service's use of repetition is also significant, particularly in the poem's closing lines:
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
Here, the repetition of the phrase "play up" reinforces the sense of urgency and motivation that Service is trying to convey, while also creating a sense of unity and solidarity between the players on the field. By repeating this phrase, Service suggests that we too can find strength and inspiration in the support of others, as we strive towards our own personal goals and aspirations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "New Year's Eve" is a powerful and uplifting poem that celebrates the themes of hope, renewal, and the cycle of life. Through his use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and rhythmic verse, Service creates a poetic masterpiece that resonates with readers on a deep and emotional level. As we prepare to welcome the new year, let us take inspiration from the message of this poem, and embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead with a sense of purpose, direction, and hope.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry New Year's Eve: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
As the year comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. And what better way to do that than through the power of poetry? Robert Service's "Poetry New Year's Eve" is a classic poem that captures the essence of this special time of year. In this analysis, we'll take a closer look at the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it has stood the test of time.
Themes
At its core, "Poetry New Year's Eve" is a poem about hope and renewal. The speaker is looking back on the past year with a sense of regret and disappointment, but he is also looking forward to the future with optimism and determination. He knows that the new year will bring new challenges and opportunities, but he is ready to face them head-on.
The poem also touches on the theme of time. The speaker is acutely aware of the passage of time and how it affects our lives. He knows that time is fleeting and that we must make the most of every moment. He also knows that time can be a cruel mistress, taking away the things we hold dear and leaving us with nothing but memories.
Structure
"Poetry New Year's Eve" is a relatively short poem, consisting of only three stanzas. Each stanza has four lines, and the rhyme scheme is AABB. This simple structure gives the poem a sense of clarity and focus, allowing the reader to easily follow the speaker's train of thought.
The poem also has a strong sense of rhythm, with each line containing four stressed syllables. This gives the poem a sense of urgency and momentum, as if the speaker is racing against the clock to make the most of his time.
Language
One of the most striking things about "Poetry New Year's Eve" is its use of language. Robert Service was a master of using simple, everyday language to convey complex emotions and ideas. In this poem, he uses a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and memorable image of the speaker's thoughts and feelings.
One of the most powerful devices Service uses is repetition. The phrase "I have" is repeated three times in the first stanza, emphasizing the speaker's sense of regret and disappointment. The repetition of the phrase "I will" in the second stanza, on the other hand, emphasizes the speaker's determination and optimism.
Service also uses metaphor to great effect in this poem. The image of the "old year" as a "tattered cloak" that the speaker is eager to cast off is a powerful one, conveying the sense of weariness and disappointment that the speaker feels. The image of the "new year" as a "virgin page" waiting to be written upon is equally powerful, conveying the sense of hope and possibility that the speaker feels.
Conclusion
"Poetry New Year's Eve" is a classic poem that captures the essence of this special time of year. Through its themes of hope, renewal, and time, its simple yet effective structure, and its powerful use of language, the poem speaks to us on a deep and emotional level. As we look forward to the new year, let us take inspiration from the speaker's determination and optimism, and let us make the most of every moment that we have.
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