'Humility' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckI met upon a narrow way,
Dead weary from his toil,
A fellow warped and gnarled and grey,
Who reeked of sweat and soil.
His rags were readyful to rot,
His eyes were dreary dim;
Yet . . . yet I had the humble thought
To raise my hat to him.For thinks I: It's the likes of him
That makes the likes of me;
With horny hand and lagging limb
He slaves to keep me free;
That I may have a golden time,
And praise the Lord on high,
Life grinds into the bloody grime
A better man than I.Yet if in sheer humility
I yield this yokel place,
Will he not think it mockery
And spit into my face,
Saying: "How can you care a damn,
As now my way you bar,
When it's because of what I am,
You, Sir, are what you are?"But no, he did not speak like that,
Nor homage did I pay;
I did not lift my bowler hat
To greet his common clay;
Instead, he made me feel an ass,
As most respectfully
He stepped aside to let

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Humility: A Deeper Look

Are you familiar with the work of Robert Service? If not, let me introduce you to his poem, "Poetry, Humility". This poem has been around for over a century and yet still manages to resonate with readers today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at the poem, its meaning, and why it's still relevant today.

The Poem

Here's a quick refresher of the poem:

If poetry should rhyme with truth And lines should scan and sing, Then why does mine offend your ear When I would praise the King?

I have no wit, I have no grace, No skill with pen or tongue, Yet would I tell of human worth, And how the soul is sprung.

Oh, let me find a humble theme, And write it truth and right, That I may prove my worthiness And someday earn my knight.

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It's a poem about poetry and the writer's struggle with it. But there's more to it than that.

The Meaning

The poem is really about humility and the struggle to find one's voice. The speaker is aware of their limitations and lack of skill, but still wants to write about important topics like human worth and the soul. They recognize that their writing may not be the most polished or impressive, but they still want to try. This is evident in the line, "Oh, let me find a humble theme, And write it truth and right".

The speaker is also aware of how their poetry may be perceived by others. They wonder why their writing may offend someone's ear when they are simply trying to praise the King. This could be seen as a commentary on the expectations placed on poetry and writers. There may be certain conventions that are expected to be followed, but what happens when a writer doesn't fit into those expectations?

The poem also touches on the idea of proving one's worthiness. The speaker wants to earn their knight, which could be seen as a metaphor for recognition and validation. They want to show that their writing is valuable and important, despite their lack of skill.

Overall, the poem is a commentary on the struggle to find one's voice and the pressure to conform to certain expectations. It's about recognizing one's limitations, but still striving to create something meaningful and valuable.

The Relevance Today

So why is this poem still relevant today? Well, I think it speaks to the universal struggle of finding one's voice and creating something meaningful. As writers, we may feel pressure to follow certain conventions or fit into certain expectations. We may also feel like we're not good enough or skilled enough to write about important topics.

But this poem reminds us that it's okay to be humble and to recognize our limitations. It's also okay to try and write about important topics, even if we may not be the most skilled writers. What's important is that we try and that we write truthfully and meaningfully.

Additionally, the poem could be seen as a commentary on the current state of poetry and writing. There may be certain expectations placed on writers, such as following certain trends or styles. But this poem reminds us that there's value in writing about humble themes and in writing truthfully and meaningfully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Humility" is a poem that speaks to the universal struggle of finding one's voice and creating something meaningful. It's about recognizing one's limitations, but still striving to write about important topics. The poem reminds us that it's okay to be humble and that there's value in writing truthfully and meaningfully.

This poem has been around for over a century, but it still manages to resonate with readers today. And I think that's a testament to its timeless message and relevance.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Humility: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Humility," is a masterpiece that explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance.

The poem begins with the speaker's confession that he is not a great poet. He acknowledges that he does not possess the talent of the great poets of the past, such as Shakespeare or Keats. However, he does not let this discourage him. Instead, he embraces his limitations and accepts that he is only a humble poet. This humility is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it is what makes this work so powerful.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker admits that he is not a great poet and that he does not have the ability to write epic poems or sonnets. However, he does not let this discourage him. Instead, he finds beauty in the simple things in life, such as the sound of a bird or the sight of a flower. This is a powerful message that reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.

The second stanza explores the idea that poetry is not just about the words on the page. It is about the emotions and experiences that those words evoke. The speaker acknowledges that he may not have the talent to write great poetry, but he can still capture the essence of human emotions in his work. This is a powerful message that reminds us that poetry is not just about the technical aspects of writing. It is about the human experience.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that he may not be a great poet, but he can still make a difference in the world. He can still touch people's lives and make them feel something. This is a powerful message that reminds us that we do not have to be great to make a difference. We just have to be willing to try.

The fourth stanza is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry. The speaker acknowledges that poetry has the ability to heal and comfort people. It can bring people together and help them to understand each other. This is a powerful message that reminds us of the importance of poetry in our lives.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The simplicity of the structure allows the message of the poem to shine through without any distractions.

The literary devices used in the poem are also worth noting. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "I am not a great poet," emphasizes the theme of humility. The use of imagery, such as the image of a bird or a flower, helps to create a sense of beauty and simplicity. The use of metaphor, such as the metaphor of poetry as a healing balm, adds depth and complexity to the poem.

In conclusion, "Poetry Humility" is a masterpiece of Robert Service. It explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience, and it does so with humility and grace. The themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem all work together to create a powerful message that reminds us of the importance of humility, beauty, and the human experience. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to touch people's lives.

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