Comfort by Robert W. Service (1947)
The poem addresses themes of resilience and the enduring beauty of nature amidst personal hardship. It opens with a portrayal of despair, highlighting the speaker's struggles with loss, failure, and a sense of abandonment. The tone shifts as the speaker encourages a perspective change, emphasizing the importance of appreciating the simple joys of life, such as the beauty of the sky, the earth, and the natural world. The speaker asserts that despite overwhelming difficulties, one can find solace and richness in the environment and the love of a higher power. The imagery of the blue sky, singing birds, and fragrant flowers serves as a reminder that even in dire circumstances, there are elements of life that provide comfort and hope. The poem ultimately conveys a message of inner wealth derived from nature and spirituality, suggesting that true richness lies not in material possessions but in the appreciation of life's inherent beauty and the love that surrounds us.
By Robert W. Service · First published 1947 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Philosophical · 250 words
First lines
Say! You've struck a heap of trouble --
Bust in business, lost your wife; No one cares a cent about you, You don't care a cent for life; Hard luck has of hope bereft you, Health is failing, wish you'd die --
Why, you've still the sunshine left you, And the big, blue sky.
Sky so blue it makes you wonder If it's heaven shining through; Earth so smiling 'way out yonder, Sun so bright it dazzles you; Birds a-singing, flowers a-flinging All their fragrance on the breeze; Dancing shadows, green, still meadows --
What this Textopian page supports
Comfort is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert W. Service, dated 1947 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert W. Service
- Date: 1947 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Philosophical, Nature, Literary Fiction
- Length: 250 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Comfort by Robert W. Service
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on emotional expression and imagery.
- Inspirational — The themes revolve around resilience, hope, and finding beauty in adversity, aiming to uplift the reader.
- Philosophical — The poem explores deeper meanings of life, worth, and the human condition, prompting reflection on existence.
- Nature — Nature imagery is prevalent, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world as a source of comfort and solace.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · Canadian Literature · Classic Novel · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Historical Fiction · Romance · Tragedy · Loss of Innocence · Self-Discovery