'My Husbands' by Robert Service

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Lyrics of a Low BrowMy first I wed when just sixteen
And he was sixty-five.
He treated me like any queen
The years he was alive.
Oh I betrayed him on the sly,
Like any other bitch,
and how I longed for him to die
And leave me young and rich!My second is a gigolo
I took when I was old;
That he deceives me well I know,
And hungers for my gold.
When I adore each silken hair
That crowns his handsome head,
I'm everlastingly aware
He wishes I were dead.How I would love my

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Irony of "My Husbands" by Robert Service

When it comes to love poems, we often expect them to be full of sweet and melodious words that praise the virtues of the beloved. However, Robert Service's "My Husbands" is not your typical love poem. In fact, it is a poem that challenges our conventional notions of love, marriage, and fidelity. With its vivid imagery, wit, and irony, "My Husbands" not only entertains us but also invites us to reflect on our expectations and assumptions about romantic relationships.

The Poem

Before delving into the interpretation of "My Husbands," let us read the poem in full:

_I met a lady on the train And she was an old, old dame; Yet she would smile and talk to me As if I were a game. "Oh look," she said, "how young you are, A-striving for goals sublime! And I am a worn-out traveller At the end of my little time.

"But oh," she cried, "how I envy you Your lovers so brave and gay, Who come with ardour and rapture To kiss your fears away. With their strong arms to shield you, And their young hearts beating true — Oh, child," she said, "how I envy The wonderful things you do!"

"My husbands?" she said. "Oh yes, my dear, I have buried two or three — And my lovers — well, I am old, you know, And they are not so free. But oh, it was wonderful, The love that I have known! It filled my life with beauty — Though now I am alone."

Then I looked at her with wonder, And I marvelled at her grace; For though her eyes were dim and tired, There was a smile on her face; And though her back was bent with age, And her hands were thin and weak, I thought of her as a lady Who had danced till dawn with the Greek.

So I bade her adieu and left her, And I pondered long and deep; And I thought of the loves that might have been, And the loves that might still sleep; And I thought of the wonderful romances That are waiting for you and me — For the lady who smiled so bravely, And the child who had yet to be._

The Interpretation

At first glance, "My Husbands" may seem like a lighthearted conversation between two strangers, one young and one old, about love and romance. However, as we read through the lines, we come to realize that the poem is much more than that. It is a commentary on the paradoxical nature of romantic relationships, the fleetingness of youth, and the inevitability of death.

The poem opens with the speaker meeting an old lady on the train. Despite her age and weariness, the lady is friendly and talkative, almost as if she were playing a game. She compliments the speaker's young age and ambition, which makes it clear that there is a generational gap between them. The lady then expresses her envy of the speaker's lovers, who are young, brave, and passionate. She longs for their embrace and protection, which suggests that she is lonely and nostalgic for her youth. The contrast between the speaker's youth and the lady's age sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the themes of love, loss, and longing.

As the conversation continues, the lady reveals that she has buried two or three husbands and had many lovers in her life. She acknowledges that she is old and that her lovers are no longer free, which implies that they may have passed away or moved on. However, she also insists that the love she has known was wonderful and filled her life with beauty. This contradiction between loss and beauty is one of the central themes of the poem. It shows that love can bring both joy and sorrow, and that the memories of past love can be both comforting and painful.

The speaker's reaction to the lady's story is one of wonder and admiration. Despite the lady's physical frailty, the speaker sees her as a graceful and dignified lady who has experienced the wonders of love. The reference to the Greek dance is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the lady's love affairs were not just mundane affairs but rather something extraordinary and timeless. The speaker's admiration for the lady implies that she has gained a newfound appreciation for the wisdom that comes with age and experience.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the lady's story and the possibilities of love that lie ahead for both of them. The image of the lady's brave smile and the child who has yet to be suggests that the poem is not just about the past but also about the future. It encourages us to embrace the present and the future, to cherish the moments of love and beauty that are yet to come.

The Significance

So what makes "My Husbands" a significant poem? For one, it challenges our conventional notions of love and marriage. Instead of portraying love as a perfect and eternal bond between two people, the poem shows that love can be messy, complicated, and fleeting. It suggests that love can bring both joy and sorrow, and that we should not shy away from either of them.

Moreover, "My Husbands" is a poem that celebrates the wisdom that comes with age and experience. It shows that even though the lady is old and tired, she still has a zest for life and a love for beauty. It suggests that the memories of past love can be a source of strength and inspiration, and that we should value them even if they bring us pain.

Finally, "My Husbands" is a poem that invites us to reflect on our own expectations and assumptions about romantic relationships. It asks us to consider the paradoxical nature of love, the fleetingness of youth, and the inevitability of death. It encourages us to be brave and to embrace the uncertainties of life, to cherish the moments of beauty and joy that we encounter along the way.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "My Husbands" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our conventional notions of love, marriage, and fidelity. With its vivid imagery, wit, and irony, the poem invites us to reflect on our expectations and assumptions about romantic relationships. It celebrates the wisdom that comes with age and experience, and encourages us to be brave and to embrace the uncertainties of life. Whether we are young or old, we can all learn from the lady on the train and her wonderful romances.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and thoughts that are difficult to articulate in any other way. Robert Service's poem "My Husbands" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a relationship and the emotions that come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its significance and impact.

The poem "My Husbands" is a tribute to the poet's two husbands, who were both soldiers. The poem is divided into two parts, each dedicated to one of the husbands. The first part is about the poet's first husband, who died in the war. The second part is about the poet's second husband, who survived the war but was left scarred by it. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with a clear and concise language that conveys the emotions of the poet.

The first part of the poem is a tribute to the poet's first husband, who died in the war. The poet describes him as a brave and noble soldier who fought for his country. She talks about how he was always ready to face any challenge and how he never complained about the hardships of war. The poet also talks about how much she loved him and how she misses him every day. She says, "I loved him for his courage, / I loved him for his smile, / I loved him for the way he laughed / And made life seem worthwhile."

The second part of the poem is about the poet's second husband, who survived the war but was left scarred by it. The poet talks about how he came back from the war a changed man, haunted by the memories of what he had seen and done. She talks about how he struggled to adjust to civilian life and how he found solace in alcohol. The poet also talks about how much she loved him and how she stood by him through all his struggles. She says, "I loved him for his brokenness, / I loved him for his pain, / I loved him for the way he tried / To find himself again."

The poem is structured in a way that reflects the emotions of the poet. The first part of the poem is written in a more upbeat and positive tone, reflecting the poet's memories of her first husband. The second part of the poem is written in a more somber and reflective tone, reflecting the poet's struggles with her second husband. The structure of the poem also reflects the theme of loss and grief, with the first part of the poem celebrating the life of the poet's first husband and the second part of the poem mourning the loss of the poet's second husband.

The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, with a clear and concise style that conveys the emotions of the poet. The poet uses imagery and metaphors to describe the emotions that she feels. For example, she describes her first husband as a "knight in shining armor" and her second husband as a "broken soldier." These metaphors help to convey the emotions of the poet and to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.

In conclusion, "My Husbands" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of a relationship and the emotions that come with it. The poem is a tribute to the poet's two husbands, who were both soldiers, and it reflects the themes of loss, grief, and love. The structure and language of the poem help to convey the emotions of the poet and to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. Overall, "My Husbands" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a relationship and the emotions that come with it.

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