'Expectation' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckMy flask of wine was ruby red
And swift I ran my sweet to see;
With eyes that snapped delight I said:
"How mad with love a lad can be!"
The moon was laughing overhead;
I danced as nimbly as a flea.Thought I: In two weeks time we'll wed;
No more a lonesome widow she;
For I have bought a double bed
And I will father children three.
So singing like a lark I sped
To her who ne'er expected me.And then I went with wary tread,
Her sweet surprise to greet with glee;
To where her lamplit lattice shed
A rosy radiance on the lea:
. . . And then my heart sank low like lead,

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Expectation" by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Anticipation

Have you ever felt the thrill of expectation? The delicious tension that builds up inside you as you wait for something wonderful to happen? If you have, then you know exactly what Robert Service's poem "Expectation" is all about.

This gem of poetic expression captures the essence of anticipation in a way that is both powerful and evocative. The poem transports the reader to a world of heightened emotions, where every second counts and every detail is important.

Let's delve deeper into this masterpiece of anticipation and explore its many layers of meaning and interpretation.

The Poem in Context

Before we begin our analysis of the poem itself, let's take a moment to consider the context in which Robert Service wrote "Expectation".

Service was a prolific Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was known for his ability to capture the essence of the Canadian wilderness and the rugged spirit of the people who lived there.

"Expectation" was published in Service's second book of poetry, "Ballads of a Cheechako", in 1909. The book was a critical and commercial success, establishing Service as one of the most popular poets of his time.

The poem itself is written in Service's signature style, which is characterized by simple language, vivid imagery, and a strong narrative voice.

The Poem

Now let's turn our attention to the poem itself. Here it is in full:

Expectation

I'd rather have the thought of you To hold against my heart, My spirit to be taught of you With west winds blowing, Than all the warm caresses Of another love's bestowing, Or all the glories of the world In which you had no part.

I'd rather have the theme of you To thread my nights and days, I'd rather have the dream of you With faint stars glowing, I'd rather have the want of you, The rich, elusive taunt of you Forever and forever and forever unconfessed Than claim the alien comfort Of any other's breast.

O lover! O my lover, That this should come to me: I'd rather have the hope of you, Ah, Love, I'd rather grope for you Within the great abyss Than claim another's kiss.

What a beautiful poem! From the first line, Service hooks us with a powerful declaration of love and longing. The speaker tells us that he would "rather have the thought of you / To hold against my heart" than anything else in the world. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is all about the power of anticipation and desire.

The second stanza continues this theme, emphasizing the speaker's preference for the "theme" and "dream" of his lover rather than any physical manifestation of love. The phrase "faint stars glowing" is particularly evocative, conjuring up images of a romantic night sky and the sense of wonder that comes with it.

In the final stanza, the speaker takes his desire to another level, saying that he would "rather grope for [his lover] / Within the great abyss / Than claim another's kiss". This is a powerful statement of devotion and a testament to the strength of the human heart when it comes to matters of the soul.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Service trying to say with this beautiful poem about expectation and desire?

At its core, "Expectation" is a celebration of the power of the human heart. It is a testament to the fact that love, desire, and anticipation are some of the most powerful forces in our lives, capable of moving us to great heights and depths of emotion.

The poem is also a critique of superficial forms of love. The speaker tells us that he would "rather have the thought of [his lover] / Than all the warm caresses / Of another love's bestowing". This is a powerful statement about the difference between love that is based on physical attraction and love that is based on something deeper.

Finally, "Expectation" is a poem about the importance of hope. The speaker tells us that he would "rather have the hope of [his lover] / Than claim another's kiss". This is a powerful statement about the role that hope plays in our lives, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. Without hope, we are lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty and doubt.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Expectation" is a masterpiece of poetic expression. It captures the essence of anticipation and desire in a way that is both powerful and evocative. Through its simple language, vivid imagery, and strong narrative voice, the poem transports us to a world of heightened emotions, where every second counts and every detail is important.

Ultimately, "Expectation" is a celebration of the human heart and the power of love, desire, and hope. It is a reminder that, no matter what challenges we may face in our lives, there is always a reason to hope, always a reason to believe in the power of love to transform our lives and our world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. Robert Service's poem, "Expectation," is a classic example of the power of poetry. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, and language, and how they contribute to its overall impact.

The poem "Expectation" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young man who is waiting for his love to arrive. The poem is set in the winter, and the young man is waiting in a cabin in the woods. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The structure of the poem is simple, but it is the language and imagery that make it powerful.

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character. The young man is described as "a lad that's sick to roam." This line sets the tone for the poem and establishes the young man's restlessness. He is waiting for his love to arrive, and he is anxious and excited. The second line of the stanza describes the setting, "a cabin in the woods." This line creates a sense of isolation and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The third line of the stanza introduces the theme of waiting, "He hears his mate's light tap without, / And starts to pace the floor." This line creates a sense of anticipation and builds tension. The fourth line of the stanza describes the young man's state of mind, "His heart's a-trip like a singing bird, / For he's expecting her." This line is a metaphor that compares the young man's heart to a singing bird. It creates a sense of excitement and anticipation.

The second stanza continues the theme of waiting and anticipation. The young man is described as "a lad that's young and bold." This line reinforces the idea that the young man is restless and eager for his love to arrive. The second line of the stanza describes the setting, "The night is dark and still." This line creates a sense of foreboding and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The third line of the stanza describes the young man's state of mind, "He hears the crunch of the snow without, / And starts to thrill and quiver." This line creates a sense of tension and excitement. The fourth line of the stanza describes the young man's anticipation, "His heart's a-thump like a hammerhead, / For he's expecting her." This line is a metaphor that compares the young man's heart to a hammerhead. It creates a sense of urgency and anticipation.

The third stanza is the climax of the poem. The young man's love finally arrives, and the language and imagery in this stanza create a sense of joy and relief. The first line of the stanza describes the young man's love, "A lass that's shy and sweet." This line creates a sense of tenderness and affection. The second line of the stanza describes the young man's reaction to his love's arrival, "He flings the door wide open, / And clasps her to his breast." This line creates a sense of relief and joy. The third line of the stanza describes the young man's state of mind, "His heart's a-beat like a muffled drum, / For she has come at last." This line is a metaphor that compares the young man's heart to a muffled drum. It creates a sense of relief and joy. The fourth line of the stanza describes the young man's love, "And she is his, and he is hers, / And they are one at last." This line creates a sense of unity and love.

The fourth stanza is the resolution of the poem. The young man and his love are together, and the language and imagery in this stanza create a sense of contentment and happiness. The first line of the stanza describes the young man's love, "A lass that's fair to see." This line creates a sense of beauty and admiration. The second line of the stanza describes the young man's state of mind, "His heart's a-song like a lark in May, / For she is his alone." This line is a metaphor that compares the young man's heart to a lark in May. It creates a sense of contentment and happiness. The third line of the stanza describes the young man's love, "And they will live and love and die, / Together, you and me." This line creates a sense of unity and love. The fourth line of the stanza describes the young man's contentment, "And so they sit, and so they dream, / In their cabin in the woods." This line creates a sense of peace and contentment.

The language and imagery in "Expectation" are what make the poem powerful. The metaphors that compare the young man's heart to a singing bird, a hammerhead, and a muffled drum create a sense of excitement, urgency, and relief. The descriptions of the young man's love as "shy and sweet" and "fair to see" create a sense of tenderness and beauty. The descriptions of the cabin in the woods create a sense of isolation and set the stage for the rest of the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "he's expecting her," creates a sense of anticipation and builds tension.

In conclusion, "Expectation" is a classic example of the power of poetry. The simple structure of the poem allows the language and imagery to shine. The theme of waiting and anticipation is universal, and the language and imagery in the poem create a sense of excitement, urgency, relief, tenderness, and beauty. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the joy that comes from being with the one you love.

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