'Longevity' by Robert Service
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Rhymes for My RagsSaid Brown: 'I can't afford to dieFor I have bought annuity,
And every day of living IHave money coming in to me:
While others toil to make their breadI make mine by not being dead.'Said Jones: 'I can't afford to die,For I have books and books to write.
I do not care for pelf but IWould versify my visions bright;
Emotions noble in my breastBy worthy words should be expressed.'Said Smith: 'I can't afford to die,Because my life is kindly planned;
So many on my care rely,For comfort and a helping hand.
Too many weak ones need me so,And will be woeful when I go.'Then Death appraisingly looked down,Saying: 'Your time's up, Mister Brown.
And I am sorry, Mister Jones,The earth is ready for your bones.
Friend Smith, although you're overdueYour lease of living we'll renew . . .
Both fame and fortune far above,What matters in the end is--Love.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Longevity": A Celebration of the Human Spirit
Robert Service's poem "Longevity" is a celebration of the human spirit and the ability of the human soul to endure in the face of adversity. Written in the early 20th century, the poem speaks to the human desire for immortality and the fear of mortality, while also celebrating the joys of life and the beauty of the natural world. With its vivid imagery and powerful language, "Longevity" is a masterful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
The Poem
"Longevity" begins with a description of the speaker's grandfather, who has lived for 96 years and is still going strong. The speaker marvels at his grandfather's longevity and imagines what it must be like to have lived for so long. The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the brevity of human life and the inevitability of death. Despite this, the speaker finds comfort in the fact that the human spirit is eternal and that our memories and experiences will live on long after we are gone.
The poem is divided into six stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of longevity. In the first stanza, the speaker describes his grandfather as "crinkled and tough and grim," but also as "wise and kind and sweet." This contrast between the physical frailty of old age and the strength of the human spirit sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
In the second stanza, the speaker imagines what it must be like to have lived for so long, to have seen the world change and evolve over the course of nearly a century. He wonders what it must be like to have outlived all of one's peers and to be the last survivor of a bygone era.
The third stanza shifts to a more introspective tone, as the speaker reflects on the brevity of human life and the inevitability of death. He notes that "all that lives must die," but also finds comfort in the fact that the human spirit is eternal and that our memories and experiences will live on long after we are gone.
The fourth stanza celebrates the joys of life, particularly the beauty of the natural world. The speaker describes the "glory of the dawn," the "peaceful night," and the "beauty of the stars." He finds solace in the fact that even after we are gone, the natural world will continue to exist and thrive.
The fifth stanza returns to the theme of mortality, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death and the fear that comes with it. He notes that "all that is beautiful must fade," but also finds comfort in the fact that the human spirit is eternal and that our memories and experiences will live on long after we are gone.
The final stanza concludes the poem on a note of hope and celebration. The speaker notes that despite the brevity of human life, we can still find joy in the present moment and in the memories that we create. He celebrates the human spirit and the ability of the human soul to endure in the face of adversity.
Interpretation
At its core, "Longevity" is a poem about the human desire for immortality and the fear of mortality. The speaker marvels at his grandfather's longevity and imagines what it must be like to have lived for nearly a century. He reflects on the brevity of human life and the inevitability of death, but ultimately finds comfort in the fact that the human spirit is eternal and that our memories and experiences will live on long after we are gone.
The poem can be read as a celebration of the human spirit and the ability of the human soul to endure in the face of adversity. Despite the hardships and challenges of life, we can still find joy in the present moment and in the memories that we create. The poem celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the joy that can be found in simple pleasures like the "glory of the dawn" and the "beauty of the stars."
"Longevity" can also be read as a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker reflects on the fact that the world is constantly evolving and changing, and that we must learn to adapt and endure in the face of these changes. The poem celebrates the human spirit as a force that can withstand the test of time and the challenges of life.
Overall, "Longevity" is a powerful and moving work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. With its vivid imagery, powerful language, and themes of mortality and immortality, the poem speaks to the human desire for meaning and purpose in life, and the ability of the human spirit to endure in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Longevity: A Timeless Classic by Robert Service
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It has the power to evoke feelings and transport the reader to a different world. One such poem that has stood the test of time is Poetry Longevity by Robert Service. This classic poem is a celebration of the longevity of poetry and its ability to transcend time.
Robert Service was a Canadian poet and writer who is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush. He was born in 1874 in Preston, Lancashire, England, and moved to Canada in 1894. He worked as a bank clerk and later as a cowboy before becoming a full-time writer. Service's poems were immensely popular during his lifetime, and he was known as the "Bard of the Yukon."
Poetry Longevity was first published in 1912 in Service's book Rhymes of a Red Cross Man. The poem is a tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to endure through the ages. It is a celebration of the fact that poetry can outlast even the most powerful empires and the greatest of men.
The poem begins with the lines, "Oh, the poet's life is a glorious thing, / His soul is aflame with fire; / And his heart goes out in a joyous ring / To the stars of his desire." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the power of poetry.
Service goes on to describe the many different forms that poetry can take, from the epic to the sonnet, from the ballad to the ode. He writes, "It may be a song of love or war, / Or a hymn to the gods above; / But its message will live forevermore, / For it comes from the heart of love."
The poem then takes a turn, as Service acknowledges that not all poetry is created equal. He writes, "There are poets who sing of the things of earth, / Of the joys and the sorrows of men; / And their songs have a beauty and a worth / That will live and endure till then." Here, Service is acknowledging that there are many different types of poetry, and that not all of it is great. However, he goes on to say that even the lesser poets have their place in the world of poetry.
Service then turns his attention to the great poets of the past, writing, "There are poets whose names are a magic spell, / And their songs are a wondrous thing; / And they live in the hearts of men as well, / As they did in the days of the king." Here, Service is paying tribute to the great poets of the past, such as Shakespeare, Milton, and Keats. He acknowledges that their works have endured through the ages and continue to inspire and move people today.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Service writes about his own experiences as a poet. He writes, "And I too have sung of the things of earth, / Of the joys and the sorrows of men; / And I know that my songs have a little worth, / For they come from the heart of a friend." Here, Service is acknowledging that his own poetry may not be as great as that of the masters, but he still believes that it has value and can touch people's hearts.
The poem ends with the lines, "So here's to the poet, the king of men, / And his songs that will never die; / For he lives in the hearts of his fellow men, / And his soul will never die." These lines are a fitting tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to endure through the ages. Service is saying that even though poets may die, their words will live on forever.
In conclusion, Poetry Longevity is a timeless classic that celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time. Robert Service's poem is a tribute to the great poets of the past, as well as to the lesser-known poets of the present. It is a reminder that poetry has the power to move and inspire people, and that it will continue to do so for generations to come.
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