'My Mate' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a Red Cross ManI've been sittin' starin', starin' at 'is muddy pair of boots,And tryin' to convince meself it's 'im.
(Look out there, lad! That sniper -- 'e's a dysey when 'e shoots;'E'll be layin' of you out the same as Jim.)
Jim as lies there in the dug-out wiv 'is blanket round 'is 'ead,To keep 'is brains from mixin' wiv the mud;
And 'is face as white as putty, and 'is overcoat all red,Like 'e's spilt a bloomin' paint-pot -- but it's blood.And I'm tryin' to remember of a time we wasn't pals.'Ow often we've played 'ookey, 'im and me;
And sometimes it was music-'alls, and sometimes it was gals,And even there we 'ad no disagree.
For when 'e copped Mariar Jones, the one I liked the best,I shook 'is 'and and loaned 'im 'arf a quid;
I saw 'im through the parson's job, I 'elped 'im make 'is nest,I even stood god-farther to the kid.So when the war broke out, sez 'e: "Well, wot abaht it, Joe?""Well, wot abaht it, lad?" sez I to 'im.
'Is missis made a awful fuss, but 'e was mad to go,('E always was 'igh-sperrited was Jim).
Well, none of it's been 'eaven, and the most of it's been 'ell,But we've shared our baccy, and we've 'alved our bread.
We'd all the luck at Wipers, and we shaved through Noove Chapelle,And . . . that snipin' barstard gits 'im on the 'ead.Now wot I wants to know is, why it wasn't me was took?I've only got meself, 'e stands for three.
I'm plainer than a louse, while 'e was 'andsome as a dook;'E always WAS a better man than me.
'E was goin' 'ome next Toosday; 'e was 'appy as a lark,And 'e'd just received a letter from 'is kid;
And 'e struck a match to show me, as we stood there in the dark,When . . . that bleedin' bullet got 'im on the lid.'E was killed so awful sudden that 'e 'adn't time to die.'E sorto jumped, and came down wiv a thud.
Them corpsy-lookin' star-shells kept a-streamin' in the sky,And there 'e lay like nothin' in the mud.
And there 'e lay so quiet wiv no mansard to 'is 'ead,And I'm sick, and blamed if I can understand:
The pots of 'alf and 'alf we've 'ad, and ZIP! like that -- 'e's dead,Wiv the letter of 'is nipper in 'is 'and.There's some as fights for freedom and there's some as fights for fun,But me, my lad, I fights for bleedin' 'ate.
You can blame the war and blast it, but I 'opes it won't be doneTill I gets the bloomin' blood-price for me mate.
It'll take a bit o' bayonet to level up for Jim;Then if I'm spared I think I'll 'ave a bid,
Wiv 'er that was Mariar Jones to take the place of 'im,To sorter be a farther to 'is kid.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Mate: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like it was written just for you? A poem that spoke to your soul, touched your heart, and made you see the world in a new light? If you haven't, then you need to read "My Mate" by Robert Service. This literary masterpiece is not just a poem, but a powerful tribute to the bond between man and his best friend - his dog.

The Poet

Before we delve into the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of Robert Service. He was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer, best known for his poems about the Yukon Gold Rush. He was a prolific writer, penning over 50,000 lines of verse in his lifetime. His poems were simple yet profound, and his use of rhyme and rhythm was masterful. He was a poet who wrote for the common man, and his work continues to inspire generations of readers.

The Poem

"My Mate" is a tribute to a dog, a companion, a friend, and a confidant. The poem is written in simple language, with a rhyme scheme that is easy to follow. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each one building on the previous one, until the final stanza brings the poem to a poignant conclusion.

The First Stanza

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character - the dog. The poet describes the dog as a "rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful-eyed" creature, who is always by his side, no matter what. The poet marvels at the dog's loyalty and devotion, and wonders why humans can't be as faithful as dogs. He asks,

"What is there in a dog, I say, that should make me feel so snug? What is there in a dog, I say, that things human fail to give?"

These rhetorical questions highlight the poet's admiration for the dog, and also his disappointment in humanity. He sees in the dog qualities that he wishes humans possessed - loyalty, devotion, and unconditional love.

The Second Stanza

The second stanza delves deeper into the bond between man and dog. The poet describes how the dog is always there for him, through thick and thin. He talks about how the dog is his "mate," his companion, his confidant. He says,

"He is my faithful comrade, when the world is cold and drear, My little warm-eyed fellow, with his velvet coat and cheer."

Here, the poet is highlighting the emotional support that the dog provides him. He sees the dog as a source of comfort and warmth, someone who is always there to lift his spirits when he is feeling down.

The Third Stanza

The third stanza is the most poignant of all. The poet describes how the dog is growing old, and how he is not as strong as he used to be. He talks about how the dog's eyes are becoming dim, and how his coat is losing its shine. He says,

"His eyes are dim, his coat is rough; he's not the dog he was, But though he's not the dog he was, he still is still my friend because."

Here, the poet is acknowledging the fact that the dog is aging, and that he will not be around forever. However, he is also saying that even though the dog is not as strong as he used to be, he is still his friend, his companion, his mate. The poet is celebrating the bond between man and dog, and showing his gratitude for the dog's presence in his life.

Literary Criticism and Interpretation

"My Mate" is a poem that speaks to the heart. It is a celebration of the bond between man and his best friend - his dog. The poem is written in simple language, yet it is profound in its message. The poet is highlighting the qualities that he admires in the dog - loyalty, devotion, and unconditional love. He is also questioning why humans cannot be as faithful as dogs.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each one building on the previous one. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the dog. The second stanza delves deeper into the bond between man and dog. The third stanza is the most poignant of all, as the poet acknowledges the fact that the dog is aging, and that he will not be around forever.

The poem is a tribute to the bond between man and dog, but it is also a commentary on the nature of humanity. The poet is saying that we can learn a lot from dogs, and that we should strive to be as faithful and loyal as they are. The poem is a call to action, a reminder that we should cherish the relationships we have with our furry friends, and that we should celebrate the bond between man and dog.

In conclusion, "My Mate" is a poetic masterpiece. It is a tribute to the bond between man and his best friend - his dog. The poem is simple yet profound, and it speaks to the heart. Robert Service was a poet who wrote for the common man, and his work continues to inspire generations of readers. If you haven't read "My Mate" yet, then you need to do so. You won't regret it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions and experiences. It has the power to evoke feelings and create vivid imagery in the minds of readers. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "My Mate" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a beautiful tribute to the bond of friendship and the loyalty that comes with it.

Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who was known for his narrative poems about the Canadian West. He was born in 1874 in Preston, Lancashire, England, and moved to Canada at the age of 21. Service worked as a bank clerk before he became a full-time writer. His poems were widely popular, and he was often referred to as the "Bard of the Yukon."

"My Mate" is a poem that celebrates the bond between two friends. The poem is written in the first person, and the narrator is speaking to his friend. The poem begins with the narrator describing his friend's physical appearance. He talks about his friend's ruggedness, his strength, and his ability to endure the harsh conditions of the Canadian wilderness. The narrator also talks about his friend's loyalty and how he has always been there for him.

The poem then takes a nostalgic turn as the narrator reminisces about the times they spent together. He talks about the adventures they had, the hardships they faced, and the moments of joy they shared. The narrator also talks about the bond they share, which is stronger than any other relationship he has ever had.

The poem's central theme is the bond of friendship and the loyalty that comes with it. The narrator talks about how his friend has always been there for him, through thick and thin. He talks about how his friend has stood by him, even when others have turned their backs on him. The poem celebrates the selflessness of true friendship and the trust that comes with it.

The poem's language is simple and straightforward, yet it is powerful in its simplicity. The use of colloquial language and the absence of complex metaphors and similes make the poem relatable and accessible to readers of all ages. The poem's rhythm and rhyme scheme also add to its charm, making it a joy to read aloud.

The poem's imagery is vivid and evocative. The descriptions of the Canadian wilderness and the adventures the two friends had together create a sense of nostalgia and longing. The poem's imagery also captures the ruggedness and harshness of the Canadian wilderness, making it a fitting tribute to the men and women who have lived and worked in these conditions.

The poem's message is timeless and universal. It celebrates the bond of friendship and the loyalty that comes with it. It reminds us of the importance of having someone we can rely on, someone who will be there for us through thick and thin. The poem also reminds us of the beauty of nature and the adventures that await us if we are willing to take risks and explore the world around us.

In conclusion, "My Mate" is a classic poem that celebrates the bond of friendship and the loyalty that comes with it. Robert Service's simple yet powerful language, vivid imagery, and timeless message make this poem a joy to read and a fitting tribute to the men and women who have lived and worked in the Canadian wilderness. The poem reminds us of the importance of having someone we can rely on and the beauty of nature that surrounds us. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and evoke emotions in readers for generations to come.

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