'Mike' by Robert Service

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Lyrics of a Low BrowMy lead dog Mike was like a bear;
I reckon he was grizzly bred,
For when he reared up in the air
Ho over-topped me by a head.
He'd cuff me with his hefty paws,
Jest like a puppy actin' cute,
And I would swear: by Gosh! he was
The world's most mighty malemute.But oh the grub that dog could eat!
Yet he was never belly-tight;
It almost broke me buying meat
To satisfy his appetite.
Then came a change I wondered at:
Returning when the dawn was dim,
He seemed mysteriously fat,
And scorned the bones I'd saved for him.My shack was near the hospital,
Wherein there laboured Nurse Louise,
Who was to me a little pal
I planned in every way to please.
As books and sweets for her I bought,
My mug she seemed to kindo' like;
But Mike - he loved her quite a lot,
And she was very fond of Mike.Strolling with her as moonlight gleamed,
I saw a strand of cotton trail
From Mike, the which unseemly seemed
To have its source behind his tail.
I trod on it with chagrin grim,
And with a kick his absence urged;
But as he ran, from out of him
Such yards and yards of lint emerged.And then on me the truth did dawn
Beyond the shadow of a doubt:
That poor dam dog was gorged upon
The poultices threw out. . . .
So "love my dog love me," I thought,
And seized the moment to propose . . .
Mike's dead, but in our garden lot
He's manure for a big dog-rose.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Robert Service's "Mike": A Celebration of a Life Lived to the Fullest

If there is one poem that captures the essence of Robert Service's literary genius, it is "Mike." Like many of his other works, "Mike" is a celebration of the human spirit, a tribute to those who dare to live life to the fullest, and an ode to the power of love and friendship. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language of "Mike," and argue that it is one of Service's most powerful and enduring works.

The Themes of "Mike"

At its core, "Mike" is a poem about courage. It tells the story of a man who refuses to be defeated by life's challenges, who finds joy in the most unexpected moments, and who never loses his sense of humor or his love for his fellow human beings. In many ways, Mike is Service's idealized version of a hero: a man who embodies the values of perseverance, resilience, and kindness.

But "Mike" is also a poem about friendship. The bond between Mike and the narrator is a testament to the power of human connection, to the way in which our relationships with others sustain us through life's ups and downs. The narrator's love for Mike is palpable in every line of the poem, and it is this love that gives the poem its emotional depth and resonance.

Finally, "Mike" is a poem about the fleeting nature of life. It reminds us that our time on this earth is limited, and that we must make the most of every moment. Mike's death is a poignant reminder that even the most vibrant and vital among us are not immune to the ravages of time, and that we must cherish our loved ones while we still have them.

The Imagery of "Mike"

One of the most striking features of "Mike" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Service has a gift for painting word pictures that are both beautiful and memorable, and "Mike" is no exception. Consider, for example, the following lines:

But he never lost his cheerfulness, his eyes were bright and gay;
And I'm darned if I don't believe he whistled all the way.

Here, Service uses the image of whistling to convey Mike's irrepressible spirit, his refusal to be defeated by life's challenges. The image of a man whistling as he walks is a powerful one, suggesting a carefree and joyful attitude that is all too rare in our modern world.

Service also uses animal imagery to great effect in "Mike." For example, he describes Mike as having "an eagle nose and eyes," a metaphor that suggests both his sharp intelligence and his keen perception. Similarly, Service describes Mike as having "the grace of a big brown bear," a comparison that conveys both his physical strength and his gentle nature.

The Language of "Mike"

Finally, it is worth examining the language of "Mike" to understand why this poem has endured for so many decades. Service's language is simple and direct, but it is also deeply emotional and powerful. He uses a mix of metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to convey his message, but he never allows these devices to overwhelm the poem's emotional core.

For example, consider the following lines:

And all that I could do for him was pack him up some grub;
And he took it with a twinkle in his eyes and thanked me like a sub.

Here, Service uses a simile to convey the gratitude that Mike feels for the narrator's kindness. By comparing Mike to a submarine commander ("like a sub"), Service emphasizes the heroic qualities that he sees in his friend.

Similarly, Service uses metaphor to convey the fleeting nature of life. When he describes Mike's death as "a little breeze blew by, and Mike was not," he is using language to suggest the suddenness and inevitability of death. The image of a breeze blowing by is both beautiful and haunting, and it serves as a powerful reminder of our own mortality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Mike" is a poem that celebrates the human spirit in all its complexity and beauty. It is a tribute to the power of love, friendship, and courage, and it speaks to all of us who have ever struggled to find our place in the world. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, "Mike" reminds us that life is a precious gift, and that we must make the most of every moment.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Mike: A Classic Tale of the Wild North

If you're looking for a poem that captures the spirit of the Wild North, look no further than Robert Service's "Poetry Mike." This classic tale tells the story of a rough-and-tumble prospector who discovers a love for poetry in the midst of his adventures. With its vivid imagery, rollicking rhythm, and unexpected twist ending, "Poetry Mike" is a true gem of Canadian literature.

The poem begins with a description of Mike, a grizzled old prospector who has spent years wandering the rugged terrain of the Yukon. Service paints a vivid picture of this rough-and-tumble character, with lines like "His face was hard as battered rock / His eyes were blue and bleak." We can almost feel the chill of the northern wind and the roughness of the terrain as we read Service's words.

But despite his tough exterior, Mike has a secret passion: poetry. As the poem unfolds, we learn that he has been secretly writing verse for years, scribbling his thoughts and feelings in a battered old notebook. This revelation is surprising, given Mike's rough-and-tumble persona, but it also adds depth and complexity to his character.

Service's use of language is particularly effective in this section of the poem. He contrasts the harsh, rugged landscape of the Yukon with the delicate beauty of Mike's poetry. For example, he writes:

He'd sit beside his campfire bright
And read his rhymes aloud,
And in the silence of the night
They'd echo strong and proud.

These lines create a powerful contrast between the roughness of the wilderness and the delicate beauty of Mike's poetry. We can almost hear the sound of his voice echoing through the stillness of the night.

As the poem continues, we learn that Mike's love of poetry is not just a private passion. He begins to share his work with the other prospectors he meets on his travels, and they are surprised and impressed by his talent. This section of the poem is particularly effective in capturing the camaraderie and rough humor of the prospectors. Service writes:

They'd listen to his rhymes and grin,
And then they'd slap his back,
And say, "By gosh, you've got the tin,
You're sure a poet, Mac!"

These lines capture the rough-and-tumble humor of the prospectors, as well as their genuine admiration for Mike's talent. It's clear that he has won their respect and affection through his poetry.

But the poem takes an unexpected turn in its final stanza. We learn that Mike has died, and his notebook of poetry has been found by a stranger. The stranger reads through the poems and is moved by their beauty, but he is also struck by the fact that Mike never shared his work with the wider world. Service writes:

And then I thought of all the men
Who'd laughed at Poetry Mike,
And I was sad to think that when
He died, he took his gift alike.

These lines are a poignant reminder of the importance of sharing our talents and passions with the world. Mike's poetry was beautiful and moving, but he kept it hidden away from the world. As a result, he never received the recognition and acclaim he deserved.

In conclusion, "Poetry Mike" is a classic tale of the Wild North that captures the rugged beauty of the Yukon and the surprising depths of human emotion. Through his vivid imagery, rollicking rhythm, and unexpected twist ending, Robert Service creates a poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of poetry or just looking for a good story, "Poetry Mike" is a must-read.

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